DJ Rhythma aka Eric Schmidt started DJing in 1988 working the mix with one turntable and two tape decks. His shows were a prelude to mashups and global fusion – stitching artists like Tito Puente with Nitzer Ebb into Slick Rick layered into Maurice. Rhythma’s shows were genre bending and inclusive of culture, style and orientation. In 1990 he started producing and hosting a live DJ mix radio show on WEHR at Penn State. By 1994 Rhythma and his UpTown Productions crew had played over 500 live shows. His signature become one of emotion and message vs. genre.

Fueled by his his love for Chicago house Rhythma dove into the world of deep house during his migration to Seattle in 1997. Through the late nineties and early two thousands Rhythma took up residency at The Backdoor Ultra Lounge opening for the likes of DJ Riz. In the early 2000’s Rhythma met Darek Mazzone – the curator of Wo’Pop on 90.3 KEXP which led him down the path of expanding into the universe of world music and leading him back to his radio roots. In his 30 years of DJ’ing Rhythma has opened for Kaskade, Andy Hunter, King Britt, Felix the Housecat and Grandmaster Flash. He has light up Diwali festivals, fundraisers, museum launches, venetian Balls, clubs and the radio waves on both coasts.

You can reach Rhythma at: djrhythma (at) gmail.com OR eric (at) kexp.org OR notthateric@.