Wade Randolph Hampton
American DJ
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wade Randolph Hampton, professionally known as W,[1] also known as WishFM), is an American DJ, film and music producer, and recording artist.[2]
Career
In 1987, Hampton and mentor Kerry Jaggers opened the nightclub, Westend, in Austin. He moved to Chicago a year later, before relocating to Los Angeles.[3]
While in Los Angeles and later in San Francisco, Hampton became involved in the West Coast rave scene.[2] Along with then-partner Stephanie Smiley, he founded Faster Bamboo, a shop "designed to provide hard-to-find cutting-edge music and underground club info".[4]
In 1995, Hampton signed a record label distribution deal with Moonshine Music to launch Domestic Recordings,[2] through which he released music under the names ‘W’ and ‘Wish FM’.[5][6] He also released albums from acts such as Mark Farina, Symbiosis, and Westside Chemical.[7] After moving to San Francisco, he found success with his weekly night ‘La Belle Epoque’ at 'The Top' nightclub.[8]
From 2006 to 2012, Hampton was Director of Dallas’ 'Ghostbar' nightclub, located on top of the W Hotel.[9][10]
Film and television
Hampton made his acting debut in the independent film Groove (2000), for which he also served as music producer.[11][12] Groove was nominated for ‘Best Film Under $500,000’ at the 17th Independent Spirit Awards.
Hampton was also the Music Supervisor for the 2006 film TV Junkie,[13] which won the ‘Special Grand Jury Prize for a Documentary’ at the Sundance Film Festival.
Personal life
Hampton grew up in Dallas, Texas. He currently resides in Los Angeles and has a son from his relationship with Stephanie Smiley.[4]
In the 1990s, Hampton befriended psychologist Timothy Leary and later DJ'ed at Leary's funeral memorial.[14]
Discography
| Year | Release | Artist | Credit | Label | Catalog number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Wish FM 96.1 The Progressive Electro Revolution | Various | Producer/Executive Producer | Domestic Recordings | DMT 10001–2 |
| 1996 | Jet Set | Various | DJ/ Producer | Domestic Recordings | DMT 10004–2 |
| 1996 | Clandestine Electronic Subculture | Symbiosis | Executive Producer | Domestic Recordings | DMT 10003–2 |
| 1996 | Seasons One | Mark Farina | Producer/Executive Producer | Domestic Recordings | DMT 10002–2 |
| 1997 | Wish FM 97.1: West Coast Drum & Space | Various | DJ/Producer | Domestic Recordings | DMT 10005–2 |
| 1997 | Blue | Infinite Posse | Remix Co-Producer | Sunburn Records/Lightyear Entertainment | SPF 009 / 54274–0 |
| 1997 | Phibsborough | Westside Chemical | Executive Producer | Domestic Recordings/Stray Records | DMT 10006-2 / SR2700 |
| 1998 | Wish FM 98.1: Live At La Belle Epoque | Various | DJ/Producer | Sunburn Records/Lightyear Entertainment/ Warner Entertainment Group | SPF 19004/54285-2 |
| 1998 | Redheadestepchild | W | Writer/Arranger/Engineer | ZoëMagik Records | ZM CD005 |
| 1998 | Meta | Symbiosis | Producer/Executive Producer | Domestic Recordings / Silent | DMT 10007-2 / SR9837 |
| 1998 | Duke's Up | W | Writer/Producer | ZoëMagik Records | ZM-017 |
| 1999 | Stepheadedredchild - The Remix Sessions | W | Writer/Arranger/Engineer/Remixer | ZoëMagik Records | ZM CD006 |
| 2000 | Groove (Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture) | Various | DJ/Executive Producer | Kinetic/Reprise Records/ Warner Entertainment Group | 9 47765-2 / 947765–2 |
| 1997 | The Royal Treatment | The Baroness | Remixer | ZoeMagik Records | ZMCD-003 |
| 2002 | Requiem For A Dream (Remixed) | Clint Mansell Featuring Kronos Quartet | Remixer | Thrive Records | 90703–2 |