Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Ferno.
Hi DJ Ferno , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Philadelphia, I was surrounded by a city with a deep musical identity, and DJing became a way for me to connect with people before I fully understood how important that connection would become.
In 2011, I connected with DJ Jazzy Jeff, and that eventually led to years of traveling the world through the Vinyl Destination tour and YouTube series. That experience changed my life. I learned a lot about DJing, performing and reading a room, but that era also gave me the opportunity to spend time in the studio and be part of jam sessions with incredible musicians. Being in those environments taught me to listen differently, trust instinct and understand how an idea can develop naturally when people are creating together.
Touring also showed me the through line of love and how connected we are, regardless of where we come from or where we live. Every country has its own culture and energy, but there is always something familiar underneath it all. Music makes that easy to see.
I moved to Austin in 2020 during a major transition. The world had slowed down, and I had the opportunity to slow down with it. I started asking myself what I really wanted to say through music and what I wanted my work to stand for. That led me deeper into production and helped me become more intentional about developing my own sound. House music had always been part of my foundation, but I found myself moving more deeply into Afro House and exploring rhythm, emotion and the different musical influences I had picked up throughout my life and travels.
Baraza Musiq grew from that period. The word “Baraza” means a gathering in Swahili, and that really captures the heart of it. It started from a desire to create experiences where people could gather around music, feel comfortable being fully themselves and connect in a real way. It has since grown into a record label and event series, but the intention is still simple: to create from love and give that feeling somewhere to live.
Today, I feel grounded in who I am as an artist. I am producing and releasing my own music, performing in Austin and beyond, and continuing to build Baraza Musiq into something that reflects the vision behind it. There is still a lot I want to create and experience, but I am not waiting to become the artist I imagined. I am living it now while continuing to grow.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t look at the road as smooth or difficult. I view every part of it with gratitude because each experience has helped shape who I am today.
The biggest journey has been within. I have been reminded to trust myself, listen more closely to my own voice, and keep moving even when the full path is not clear. The more honest I am with myself, the more clearly life and music flow.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a DJ, producer, photographer, creative director, and the founder of Baraza Musiq. At the center of all of it is storytelling and connection. Whether I am behind the decks, in the studio, creating images, or shaping the direction of an event or release, I am thinking about how the work feels and what people carry with them afterward.
Musically, I work mainly within Afro House, deep house, and the spaces around them. My sound is rhythmic and energetic, but there is also emotion and stillness in it. As a DJ, I am known for reading the room and allowing a set to breathe. I like the energy to move naturally instead of forcing every moment. Sometimes that means the room is fully lifted, and other times it means creating space for people to close their eyes and go inward.
Baraza Musiq is where the larger vision comes together. It is a record label and event series built around the idea of gathering. As founder and creative director, I help shape everything from the music and artist curation to the visual identity and the feeling of the experience itself. Through Baraza, I release music, create experiences, and support artists whose work carries intention.
What I’m most proud of is that the foundation has remained true as Baraza has grown. It comes from love, community, and the belief that music can help people feel free and more connected to themselves.
What sets me apart is the range of experiences that continue to shape how I create. Touring the world continues to teach me how universal music is. Time in the studio is also part of my journey inward. It grounds me, teaches me to listen more closely, and gives ideas the space to reveal themselves. Photography has taught me to notice the details and tell a story without words. Creative direction allows me to bring all of those perspectives together. I do not see those parts of my work as separate. They all come from the same intention and feed one another.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The practices that support me most are graditude, meditation, journaling, grounding outdoors, and spending time in sunlight. They help me slow down, clear my mind, and return to myself.
Two books that have stayed with me are The Creative Act by Rick Rubin and The Impersonal Life by Joseph S. Benner. The Creative Act speaks to the way I approach creativity and stay open to ideas. The Impersonal Life has influenced how I understand self, quiet the ego, and listen deeply.
For podcasts, I enjoy Hanging Out With Audiophiles and RA Exchange. I like hearing artists speak honestly about their process, the studio, and the experiences behind the work. Those conversations often remind me that there is no single path to creating something meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djferno/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djferno
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5hYatme2laHAx2t6eBo2Bd?si=keKHD9SJSA-NHW5rvialbw
