With Disco 3000, Rachael celebrates both the roots and the future of House, bringing together legendary producers like Joe Smooth, Mike Macherello, and Marcus Mixx, while also shining a spotlight on fresh talents like Lea Rognoni and Zewmob. In this interview, she discusses how her journey—filled with punk energy, underground influences, and an unshakable passion for the authentic house sound—has led her to this exciting moment. Join us as we explore what makes Disco 3000 not just an album, but a testament to the spirit of House music—timeless, inclusive, and always evolving.
Disco 3000 is described as a celebration of House music’s legacy and it’s future. Could you share what inspired you to create this album now, at this point in your career, and how it reflects your journey through house music’s evolution from the Disco 2000 era to today?
People who know me and the Trax label well these days are aware that Jorge Cruz is my person. He has been coordinating many of the recent productions for me and encouraged me to release this collection. I have been in House music since the beginning, as noted in Rolling Stone magazine, where I was credited as being the voice on the first vocal house record, “FANTASY.” It seems as though I have lived many lives—from my punk band “Screamin’ Rachael & Remote,” to my work at Sugarhill Records, where I met Grandmaster Melle Mel, Afrika Bambaataa, Doug E. Fresh, and others, to the dawning of TRAX Records and the Club Kid days at Disco 2000. Yet, I feel today is my most exciting chapter! Our performances at ADE in Amsterdam really reminded me of all the love people have for me. So yes, this evolution is all part of my journey, and it was the perfect time for me to reflect on the past while pushing the boundaries into the future and beyond with Disco 3000. I’m very proud of this collection and extremely thankful for all of the great artists who have stood by me in the creative process.
With legendary producers like Joe Smooth, MARCUS MIXX, and Mike Macharello joining you. What was the collaborative process like for Disco 3000? Did each producer bring something unique that helped redefine the sound of each track?
Working with legends like Joe Smooth, Mike Macherello, and Marcus Mixx is definitely like coming home to House! We have all grown up together and known each other for many years. Each producer has a different technique, yet I’m inspired by the track they send and just flow with it! Joe is technically excellent. You can tell that what he produces is always of the highest quality in every way. “I AM HOUSE” was a total flow of consciousness for me. Joe said, “Just get in the booth and talk about the house lifestyle.” The point is, it’s glamorous yet very down-to-earth at the same time. All are welcome—that’s the point I believe we conveyed. Mike Macherello asked me to get punk, get loose, and make my statement, which I did with “BITCH.” Of course, DBeat did the mix, and they certainly took it to another level, giving it that international Italian flair. I love Marcus Mixx—he’s my underground hero. Those acid lines on “Everlasting Acid Trip” and “Come On Kitty” are some of my favorites ever…
What are some of the challenges you faced in keeping that authentic house sound alive with TRAX, especially in a music landscape that often feels like it’s constantly chasing the next big trend?
I don’t feel we have any challenges keeping things authentic because we never chase trends. We are not like any other label, and we never have been. Simply said, we are TRAX. We release and record what we believe in. Trax is not here to copy or impress anyone. This music is like our children—we love what we do.
The mixed version of Disco 3000 by DJ Chip Chop adds another layer to the album. How did you and Chip Chop collaborate to shape the story of the album through his mix, and how do you think that version compares to the unmixed experience for listeners?
Part of my New York experience was learning about the Voguing Houses. I lived in NYC for a number of years but always kept a base in Chicago. That experience opened many doors. I think I first became aware of the movement at the Paradise Garage, where my track “My Main Man” was a favorite. Of all the Houses, the House of Ninja influenced me the most because of my friendship with Willie Ninja, the founder of the House. He was one of a kind, and I believe he was one of the greatest dancers that ever lived. May he rest in peace. That’s how I know DJ Chip Chop. We spent many hours speaking about the album, and actually, his sister Dee also helped with the collaboration. When the Ninjas do an event, IT’S ON! The music captures the fun, the feeling, and even the fashion, especially when Chip Chop mans the tables. I wanted everyone to experience that excellence! We have shows planned for the spring, and I just can’t wait. So we decided to bring that special vibe to fans around the world with his mix.
How do you balance paying tribute to the genre’s roots with the need to innovate and keep things fresh for a modern audience?
I really never try to do anything. I never think about paying tribute because the foundation of house music is a natural part of me. I am House, that’s it. As far as keeping things fresh, that’s another thing I don’t think about because I just am. Maybe I’m blessed, but throughout my career, I know I’ve never put a date on my sound. Fresh is TIMELESS.
House music has always been about community and shared experiences, often growing from the underground. How does Disco 3000 reflect that spirit of community, especially with the rise of digital platforms that have shifted how music is shared and experienced?
Thank God for the community of HOUSE. Though the pandemic closed many doors, it also opened doors around the world because of the way we began to share music, experiences, and collaborate with people from every part of the world. I made new friends everywhere, and now that I’m finally meeting them, it doesn’t feel new. Somehow, I feel a deep connection with producers like Late Nite Dub Addict, DBeat, Jacques & Gregory, Pedro Canas, and now even people I’ve met in Nashville, where we have another base, including Zewmob and DJ Thad X. Disco 3000 takes you on a journey that’s not artificial. I feel that just listening to it is spiritual. The first time Jorge presented the completed album, we both knew it would change things forever for the label and usher us into our 40th anniversary perfectly! I used to DJ online every Saturday, and people would just stop by virtually. So, though we had not met in person, things began to click. Disco 3000 is really our biggest step yet into the international realm.
You’ve worked with Jorge as a curator on this album, who has a history of collaborating with some major artists in the industry. Could you tell us more about what his vision brought to Disco 3000 and how his contributions helped shape the overall theme and sound of the project?
I spoke about Jorge at the beginning of this interview, but I really can’t say enough! Someday we will write a book! Trax means everything to me, so to trust him in this way says it all! Both of us are twisted, but that is perfect! WE LAUGH EVERY DAY! In fact, his sense of humor takes me back to Michael Alig and Disco 2000! He hasn’t murdered anyone—at least not yet… He’s very creative, and we go over everything until we get things right. From the cover to the last track, it’s a process. Sometimes we argue, but in the end, we are kindred spirits. He was the ONLY person to curate this album. Listen to what he did on my former album Queen of House! Jorge just gets it, and he gets me!
The album also includes remixes from newer talents like Lea Rognoni. How important is it for you to include up-and-coming producers alongside established names?
Working with up-and-coming producers has always been of key importance to me. It’s funny because many promoters, who work with big acts, tell us that we will never go anywhere without big-name remixers attached to our track. Well, the truth is that’s not what the fans are saying! Some of the new producers I’ve worked with include DBeat, Lea Rognoni, Zewmob, and Pedro Canas. It’s a great time for music as all of us are from different parts of the globe, but we are still able to work together. Lea was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He’s a creative producer and DJ, and his avant-garde techniques give him a unique and unmistakable sound.
Francesco and Giuseppe, known together as DBEAT, are Italian DJ-producers who crossed paths in Bologna in 2017. They were united by a passion for electronic music and began experimenting with unique, club-ready sounds. They signed on as A&R for Trax Records in 2022. Their sound blends House and Tech House with Dub and Minimal influences, creating a powerful groove. It was a great pleasure finally meeting them in Amsterdam at ADE.
I met Zewmob in Nashville, and he is making quite a name for himself on the national DJ scene. House music is just starting to become really popular in that part of the country, where Ryan (AKA Zewmob) is blazing a trail with his production skills. His ear for recording is really impressive to me, and I love the work we’ve been doing together.
I first found out about Pedro Canas from Jim Leavitt, who was kind of a mentor at Sony Orchard in their music licensing department. He’s from NYC, my second home, but we only met recently. He came up with a sizzling track for “Addicted,” and I really find his sound intriguing.
These guys deserve recognition, and are getting it. In fact, Lea Rognoni and Zewmob received Grammy attention this year. The list for the final cut just came out yesterday, and though we didn’t make it, I couldn’t be more proud of our music! Now, don’t get me wrong, I will always give total appreciation to my fellow Chicago contemporaries and continue to work with them—they are legends who deserve a great amount of credit. It’s been an amazing journey, and we’ve come a very long way.
With TRAX Records having such an iconic legacy, how do you see Disco 3000 fitting into the label’s rich history? Do you feel there’s a message you’re trying to convey with this release about where house music is heading or how it should be preserved?
We have a small, truly dedicated team at TRAX, and we know that we have done everything to preserve Trax’s iconic legacy. That goes far beyond even the music, as we have fought to keep the label independent and in Chicago. WE WON’T SELL OUT! Many people think I’m crazy for not just selling the label, but I don’t care because as long as I have a team who supports me, I will support them. We are not a big machine like a lot of other dance labels. Everything I do, and that we do together, comes from the heart. It’s not about the money or fame, and yet the biggest players out there try to copy US! We see that all the time, and just laugh… The only thing I wish we could do is afford to promote and do more for the family, but we don’t have the money. Plus, streaming has really hurt artists and small labels like us. If you can afford it, give support by purchasing tracks. If not, just show us LOVE. Still, we manage to stay at the top of the charts and lead the way with innovation and sheer belief in what we do.
Disco 3000 tells a story and sends a message that if you are an original and not an imitator, you can still break through! Dreams come true—be ready when it’s your turn… Never let anyone intimidate or stop you. That’s my personal message. VIVA THE UNDERGROUND! LONG LIVE TRAX, THE ORIGINAL HOME OF HOUSE, MADE IN CHICAGO!
