This week we are taking it back to Chicago where we started the year of posts, with an introduction to Katja-Anna Garza, or The Kat, as she's gone by for the last 30ish years. Kat came of age in the 80s in the Chicago Mod, punk, suedehead era. She considers herself a Mod and a Chicagoan at heart. She has recently come back to DJ-ing joining the wonderful group of Heart Of Chicago Soul Club.

When not at her full time job or DJing, Kat enjoys seeing local live music, going to bars and clubs. "I like exploring the city on public transportation, going to neighborhoods I would not normally go, exploring by walking through my city's past. I have been doing that since I was a teen, taking photos of buildings on film."

How did you get into your industry / What motivated you?

Well, I have always been around DJs, and musicians all my life. I met Debbie Koller at a show at The Metro (it was called Cabaret Metro then). I left the Modsubculture scene in the early 2000s and came back after my divorce in late 2017. I met some great people and have fostered many friendships. When the pandemic happened, I really missed the live shows and going dancing. One of the nights at Empty Bottle for Windy City Soul Club, Debbie Jordan, and Ricki came up with Amplified Chicago (its is now Amplified). Debbie knew I had records and asked if I wanted to spin, I loved it! I was over joyed by the reactions I received. I have gotten into 60s / 70's South American Surf, Garage and dabbling in Peruvian cumbia. You always think no one would dig your musical tastes, but hey, I have learned not to sell myself short.

What is a day in the life like?

I am a retail sales manager so as my boss would say, I am a part time firefighter and peace officer. I have always enjoyed working with people, creating / heading teams. I love the game between the customer and sales person. The introduction, the seduction, and finally the sale.

In your opinion what has been your favorite / the coolest thing you've worked on?

This year, Heart of Chicago Soul Club has been working with the city on some music projects. I was privileged to spin at the 20 year anniversary of Millennium Park / Dance Chicago. As well as the farmer's market in Daley Plaza. There are some future endeavors down the road as well. I have also been booking / scheduling DJ's for Amplified which is now at Cafe Mustache, the first Tuesdays of the month.

In the past 4 years I have met some really cool vinyl addicts / collectors and lovers of the ModSubculture Sound. I wanna continue to meet and network with in the vinyl community for future projects.

What has been / is the most difficult part of your job?

There really isn't anything that is difficult, except not enough funds for all the records on my wantlist, lol!

What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into pursuing what you’re doing?

Don't be afraid to ask someone for advice, or help.

Introduce yourself to fellow collectors, listen, ask questions, do your research. I ask other DJ's how they are getting gigs, marketing, what bars / clubs they like regarding management. I am also curious what they are collecting, what new sounds they are diggin'. Don't think you are the only person in the room that feels lost or out of place.

Are you a vinyl collector yourself? What drew you to it? If not, why the vinyl industry?

I had a large collection of garage and freak-beat, in the 90s and sold pretty much all of it by the end of the decade. I have since streamlined my collecting to Jazz (bebop, 60s and early 70s), Soul, South American (surf, garage, pop, bossanova, boogaloo). I use YouTube Music as another resource to find new artists. 45's are what I am collecting now. I love albums and am not a snob when it comes to compilations.

What types of things are happening in your industry / with vinyl that you’re excited or worried about? i.e. innovation, or trends you’re seeing.

I like that people are understanding the beauty of vinyl. The cracks / pops from older wax the feel of the record sleeve, the sound you hear just before the first beat. You learn to take care of the record so it does not break, scratch, or warp. I think what Jack White and his record company Third Man Records, has been a boost for the industry.

I grew up listening to my parents collection that merged when they got married. The Beatles, Sergio Mendes, Gerry Mulligan, Joan Baez, so many of my memories are playing records and reading the sleeve notes, trying to get as much information about the band / singer. I am hoping that is happening now in households with young kids. It builds on their curiosity and hopefully will grow up and be listeners of this format.

Who has been influential to you and your growth as a professional in this industry? 

Seeing Teri Bristol at the Metro and other venues in the 80s and 90s was really cool to witness. She was one of a few women DJs making a living and filling the dance floor. Dave Roberts who I had known and Kristine his partner were spinning all through the 90s and 2000's. When I left the subculture in the early 2000's, I would still follow where ever they were in residence and continue supporting them. Both of them had a lot to say about the DJ scene and were good teachers.

Anything else you’d like to add; if not tell us what you're listening to: 

I adore the Allah-Las, and Los Montgomery from Chile.