At Home With… Fit Of Body

 
Art & Culture

In this feature, we ask an artist to bring us "through the keyhole" of their personal living space and let us know what it’s like at "chez artist"… In this edition, we're welcomed into where Ryan Parks, better known as Fit Of Body, calls home. He's a multimedia artist who peddles a singular brand of vocal deep house as aesthetically indebted to the world of dance music as skateboarding, which he makes plain in his label Harsh Riddims Blood Sucking Cassette Co, itself a reference to Ed Templeton's Toy Machine. We tracked him down as he gears up to release his next LP, Black Box No Cops, with New Jersey via Brooklyn's 2MR.

Share with us your favourite recipe. What is the go to meal/or perfect romantic fine-dining experience for yourselves? How did this recipe come about and any tips for our readers?

I eat the same thing every day, and have for years now. My go-to dinner is: rice, beans, spinach, whatever peppers are around, ground turkey or tofu, and some onions. My grandma used to make a lot of rice and vegetable based meals for me, and I think that left a lasting impression.

What’s your favourite room in your home and why?

My bedroom, just because all of my equipment is in there. I don’t really have a reason to leave, but I have been venturing out into the living room as of late.

What’s in your fridge right now? How often do you clean it?

Yogurt, pomegranate seeds, hummus, a variety of peppers, a couple of pears, and some garlic. I clean it out pretty regularly.

How would you describe the decor in your home?

There’s nothing.

Are you handy at DIY or do you get someone in?

I’ll do it myself.

What do you eat for breakfast?

A banana, yogurt and fruit, a bagel and hummus.

Do you have a Nutri-Bullet? Have you ever used it? If so, any health boosting juices you would recommend?

I do not and I have not. I’m big on beet juice, ginger juice, carrot juice.

Who is your neighbour? What do they do? If you’ve not talked to them… maybe now would be a good opportunity to.

I don’t know his name, but he works at the airport. He’s always in need of a cigarette. Don’t smoke cigarettes.

Have you ever locked yourself out? What did you do?

Yes, I did what I had to do.

Bath or shower?

Shower.

Has your neighbour ever seen you naked, accidentally or on purpose?

Probably. Definitely on accident…unless they know something I don’t.

It’s a lazy evening, no time for cooking. What’s your takeaway option? Who do you use? Do they know you and expect the usual order from you?
Indian food from Planet Bombay, in Atlanta. The delivery man does know me, he comes to the door like, “my brothaaa”. I go between the saag and their mughlai chicken.

Do you eat your dinner at the table or on your lap?

Either at my desk or in bed.

Do you have a local shop or are you a supermarket whore like the rest of us?

I bounce around between the chains. There’s a Publix in walking distance from my apartment though.

Is there a piece of art or ornament that holds particularly fond memories for you, from childhood or travels perhaps?

My girlfriend got me a print of a Kerry James Marshall painting for my birthday this year, that’s pretty awesome!

Animals. We love cats here at R$N, but just love people with pets. Is there a special furry/ feathered/ scaly creature in your life, tell us a little about them?

I would like a cat, but my girlfriend has one, so I’m not “allowed” to get another one. I’m not sure how her cat feels about me.

Are you a messy person? What’s the worst state your home has been left in after a party?

I’m a little messy, but I can’t work in clutter. So I’ll get to a certain level of junkiness and then I’ll straighten up. I don’t have many people over to my house, but my room-mate is heavy on the partying, so any morning after he has people over. Love you Mickey!

What’s your most annoying habit as a roommate if indeed you do have a roommate?

I wake up pretty early, so probably moving around the house at 7 in the morning.

What’s the worst roommate you’ve ever had?

I had a room-mate get scabies one time, and we all had to evacuate the house for a day or two

Is there a view from your window, balcony, front door, terrace? Can you share that with us? Who do you look for coming along the street?

There is, but it isn’t much to look at. I can see an elementary school, and one of the most congested streets in Atlanta. I always look out if I hear someone skating down the street.

Pick six dinner party guests from history, real or fictional to invite to your home?

Jacob Lawerence, Preston Parks, Grace Jones, Chalane Bauzo, Negashi Armada, Dennis Rodman.

Do you know the name of your postman?

I do not, unfortunately.

Where do you listen to music in the home and what’s the setup?

Just in my room. Either the computer into my monitors or record player into the monitors

What would you change about your home?

The leaky refrigerator

Anything else we’ve missed about your home you’d like to discuss?

The previous tenant passed away from a drug overdose. This is the second apartment I’ve lived in that that has happened in. Be safe.

Black Box No Cops is out via 2MR on June 22nd. Preorder it HERE.