Biography
Felix Clary Weatherall, known by his stage name Ross From Friends, is a British electronic music producer from Essex, England. Growing up influenced heavily by his father—a former DJ who produced Hi-NRG dance music and played squat parties—Weatherall was introduced to electronic production early, experimenting with indefinable electronic tracks on his computer at age 10 or 11. He also played guitar in bands during his youth, initially drawn to guitar music before transitioning to production. His father's passion for Italo disco and Hi-NRG significantly shaped his nostalgic sound.
Weatherall emerged in the mid-2010s as a key figure in the lo-fi house and lo-fi techno scene, alongside producers like DJ Boring and DJ Seinfeld. His debut EP 'Alex Brown' arrived in 2015 on Breaker Breaker, followed by 'You'll Understand' in 2016 on Distant Hawaii, featuring the breakout track 'Talk to Me You’ll Understand,' a fast-paced, melodic house anthem that epitomized the era's melancholic, nostalgic style and gained widespread play on dancefloors. Signed to Flying Lotus' Brainfeeder label, he released his debut album 'Family Portrait' in 2018, blending bedroom production with live elements like guitar and saxophone, performed in his three-man live band that has graced stages at Coachella, Glastonbury, Primavera, and Berghain. His 2021 follow-up 'Tread' expanded into clubbier territories, incorporating UK garage influences and vocal experiments, reflecting his aversion to rigid processes to keep creativity fresh.
Ross From Friends' style evolved from woozy synths, hip-hop sampling, and four-on-the-floor kicks to more nuanced, emotionally charged house, balancing heartfelt lo-fi with high-energy club tracks. His live shows, featuring guitar, keys, saxophone, and electronics, have built a dedicated following, with performances splitting crowds but earning praise for their innovative translation of internet-born music to club spaces. Mentored early by DJ AMAI, who introduced him to Manchester's scene, Weatherall continues to push boundaries, drawing from personal history and live experimentation.
Fun Facts
- His stage name references the character Ross from the sitcom 'Friends,' tying into a wave of ironically-named house producers like DJ Boring and DJ Seinfeld.
- At a 2018 Panorama Bar gig, his live band opened with a slow saxophone number, visibly splitting the crowd—some fled upon seeing the sax, leaving dedicated fans.
- He has old, indefinable electronic production files from age 10-11 and dreams of releasing a vocal album, having sung as a kid and played guitar in bands.
- A surreal encounter with Flying Lotus and Thundercat occurred in a tiny green room at Phonox, where FlyLo hyped him up in front of their crew.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- DJ AMAI - Key early mentor who guided his style, introduced him to clubs and local scene (Early career development leading to EPs like 'Alex Brown') [Early 2010s]
- Father (unnamed musician/DJ) - Major musical influence, former DJ and Hi-NRG producer who shaped his love for dance music (Influenced 'Family Portrait' and overall nostalgic style) [Childhood onward]
Key Collaborators
- Live band (saxophonist and keyboard player) - Core members of his 3-man live show with guitar, keys, sax, and electronics (Live performances for albums like 'Family Portrait' and 'Tread'; tours at Coachella, Glastonbury) [2018-present]
- Flying Lotus - Label head at Brainfeeder who signed and supported him (Albums 'Family Portrait' (2018) and 'Tread' (2021)) [2018-present]
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #electronic, #house, #lo-fi
References
Heard on WWOZ
Ross from Friends has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.