Callie Reiff: A Ballet Dancer Turned DJ Taking the EDM Scene by Storm
Callie Reiff’s first love was the dance floor. At age 10, she swapped the ballet slippers for a drum set. At age 12, she started taking DJ lessons at Dubspot in New York City. At age 15, she became the youngest DJ to perform at Webster Hall, going on to perform at major festivals such as Creamfields, EDC Las Vegas, Tomorrowland, and Ultra. Now, at 21 years old, she has released her latest single “Crash Into Me” (feat. Madison Daniel), an emotional ballad about being in the moment and feeling strong. We chatted with Callie about how she found her love for EDM, her experience opening for Skrillex, and the EP she is currently working on.
What made you want to get started DJing? Was there a specific moment when you realized this is what you want to do?
I've always loved music. My dad would always blast music and he used to play the saxophone when I was growing up. I think it was almost ingrained in me, meaning no matter what, I would fall in love with music whether it's listening or making. I was dancing ballet for a while and I loved the orchestra and how they craft classical music. I was kinda more into music than actually dancing. So once I stopped dancing, I had all this free time and thought, what's the opposite of ballet for me? Or what can I do that would really challenge me as a person? I decided to take drumming lessons and get an acoustic drum set. It was very loud for a New York City apartment, but I got really into it right away. I worked hard at it. I practiced every day and learned from YouTube channels. After drumming for a bit, I heard about DJing through friends and my older sister, and she said I would probably love it. So I gave it a shot. I looked up music schools in New York, and I found Dubspot when I was around 12. I just walked in and said I want to learn how to DJ. I really just had the idea that it couldn't hurt. When I did my first lesson, everyone was kind of surprised to see a 12-year-old female walk in since people there are usually 30-and-up males that are learning how to DJ in their free time outside of work. So it was very funny but right at the first lesson, I fell in love with it. I learned how to vinyl mix right away, and I just knew this was something I actually wanted to pursue.
“The music, or whatever you end up doing creatively or artistically, that's what is the whole point of it. I think that's what you focus on first and foremost. Cut out the noise of everyone's opinion. If you're doing what you love to do, keep going.”
When you attended Dubspot, did you ever feel undermined because you were so young? If so, how did you overcome that?
Honestly, they made it a very safe space, which was really amazing for my age. The co-founder JP Solis actually became my mentor for three years. He really taught me everything I know about DJing. He was someone that saw the heart eyes I had over DJing and learning and wanting to be the best I could be and improve every day. He put that confidence in me right away. It felt really good, and I felt pretty confident, but of course, I noticed that there was no one like me practicing there and was always thinking about it. It just led me to want to break that barrier and start performing and show that someone my age and female could do the same as someone who's male.
Did starting off with dance influence your career in any way?
I love ballet. I think it really impacted how I talk to people and how mature and disciplined I became through it. I was dancing with the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center, and I was doing performances as Marie in The Nutcracker. I was only eight years old with company dancers who are in their twenties or thirties and professional. So you had to bring your A-game each time. I think that mindset goes into everything that I do now. Also, not being afraid to be in front of a crowd or perform and engage with the audience is something that comes pretty naturally to me from dancing.
How would you describe your sound?
I've recently really gotten into my sound and really taken confidence in it, which I'm so happy about, but it's taken time for sure. I would describe it as indie-club. It's basically indie vocals, and I love to collaborate with singers. Collaboration is key for music, I think, because there's so much more that can come out of it than just my instrumentals. I've expanded into songwriting and recording my voice and doing some background vocals. So I love to have that songwriting storyline and then also a little bit of that club energy. I love it—I can't resist it. I'm born and raised in New York City, so that sort of fun dance sound runs in my blood.
Who are some of your favorite DJ influences?
There are so many DJs that have influenced my sound even without me really knowing until I reflect back. Being that I've played so many different shows throughout the years and absorbed everything like a sponge, I feel like the one person that really always ends up bringing new ideas or extending a sound to me is Skrillex. He is also someone that's super humble and super nice in the industry and gave me a lot of encouragement. When I was opening for him once, he just really believed in me right from the get-go, and he was one of the first in the industry to really have my back and say you can do this. He is just such a cool guy and is insanely talented. So he's up there! I also love people like Alison Wonderland and Rezz and the electronic sound design they can bring in.
Do you ever get nervous performing in front of such large crowds?
I would definitely be lying if I said no. There's so much lead-up to performances and preparation. When you're traveling there or waiting for the crowd to show up you’re wondering how the audience is going to respond to you. I definitely overthink a lot of that before I perform just because it's so exciting. But once I get up there and start playing the first song, everything kind of fades away, and I’m just in the moment and having fun. So when I'm on stage I don't get too nervous, but definitely leading up there are some nerves.
Tell me a little about your latest single “Crash Into Me.” What is the song about?
“Crash Into Me” is my song with Madison Daniel, who is an amazing singer out in Australia. We've never met in person because of COVID. We made this collab in the last year, and it really began in the middle of all the pandemic. It was really interesting because she sent over some top lines and some ideas. She’s a really great writer, so I loved that immediately. I heard this demo she sent over with just a piano and some acapella. It was called “Drown” at the time but the lyrics “crash into me” stood out the most because “crash into me” means so much. It’s about wanting someone to just fully be in the moment with you and just dive in with emotions or a relationship or even a friendship. You just want to know that everything's going to work out and everything is amazing. I feel like it was a perfect escapism reference for me during COVID to actually be inspired by writing in a song. Basically, it’s about letting go of any expectations and allowing yourself to feel like you're in the middle of a festival and having a great time with your friends. It’s also kind of about a bad breakup as well. Madison and I spoke about it and of course, we relate to boy drama because we're both around the same age. It's a bit of escapism and a little bit of a reality that you want this to work although maybe it won't actually in the end.
You talked about making music during COVID. How else has the pandemic impacted your music, and what do you miss most about live performances?
I've just been live streaming from my bedroom with a huge green screen in the middle of the room. I really think my music has been impacted the most because I’ve had the most time I’ve ever had in my whole life to really work on just music. I haven't been traveling or preparing for shows. I feel like I'm a little more comfortable and relaxed, and it’s been a fun distraction from what's happening in the world. I haven’t had a crazy schedule where I’m trying to do a bunch of things at once during my day. It’s really allowed me to just focus on my music. I think my music has improved the most it ever has, so I'm really happy with that. It's allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and try to show that this is the music I love to listen to. I like a little bit of a pop center, and I definitely was afraid to release that in the beginning or try to work on music that was more pop versus bass-heavy or had that industry crazy sound design. I was worried that people wouldn't think I'm a legitimate producer and all those things that you think of when it comes to the music industry. I've gotten comfortable with that now.
What is your dream show?
I've never had my own show yet, which is crazy because I was probably going to start doing some headline shows as things were starting to slow down here [with COVID-19]. But I really just want to headline my own show and bring my vision to life and play out these songs that I've produced because I've never actually played them to a crowd before. I would love to headline Red Rock. That's just a special place in my heart especially since I got to open there. I'd love to be able to headline it. I'd also love to headline Webster Hall in New York because that's the place where it all started. That was my first show, and they were the first people to really believe in what I was doing.
You’ve already released some amazing songs in 2021. What else can we expect from you this year?
I definitely have a few more singles coming out. I don't have the release dates but they should be out sooner than later. Also, an EP that's combining all the singles that will come out and a few extra ones. I'm really looking forward to that.
You have quite the career for a 21-year-old. What advice would you give to young people getting started in the music business?
I think when you’re getting started, really dive right into it. I would have no expectations going into it. Just focus on the practice end of things and getting better at your craft before rushing into trying to perform or rushing into trying to get a manager or any of those things. The music, or whatever you end up doing creatively or artistically, that's what is the whole point of it. I think that's what you focus on first and foremost. Cut out the noise of everyone's opinion. If you're doing what you love to do, keep going. It's hard for people to see results right away and to have people to support you right away. It's very hard if you're young and trying to do something outside of the expectations of your parents or your family or just older people in general. I think it's interesting because you see people support you once they see results, but I think you need to support yourself throughout it. There's no rush. I think everyone thinks there are viral hits and there's overnight success, but if you really dive into it, it's never really an overnight success. I mean, maybe 1% of the hundred get that, but that's a very small percentage.
Just a fun question to wrap things up: If you were starting your own new city, what are three things that you would require from all inhabitants?
They would have to love music. If you don't love to listen to music constantly, you're not allowed in this area. I'm so sorry. But also it has to have constant live music, like shows everywhere with no restrictions. Also, everyone has to be nice to each other. No rudeness happening in my area. And third, it would probably have really great thrift stores everywhere and really cool clothing. You would have to express yourself through fashion.
STORY JACQUI PASH
PHOTOS BELLAMY BREWSTER