Franky Rizardo Interview by Fidel Trotman
Hi Franky, how’s 2017 shaping up so far and what’s coming up in the next few weeks?
This year has seen my most exciting start to any year to date, next to just having released my new single ‘Same Man’ on Defected which is currently hitting the Top 10 on Beatport and Traxsource. I also have releases coming shortly on Abode and Circus Recordings and in March I will be releasing an album with more info on that later!
It’s your third time at Egg London and how do you find playing here and what set up do you use?
Every time I’ve played at Egg London it’s been pure FIRE! The crowd are really up for it and I usually end up playing until 8am 🙂 I use 4 Pioneer CDJ1000’s and a DJM900 mixer.
Currently enjoying the No 1 slot on the DMC Buzz Chart with ‘Same Man’ on Defected can you tell us how that feels? Did you realise when you were producing it, it was going to be something special?
Producing music takes a lot of time and effort, so it’s great to see it rewarded and appreciated by the likes of DMC amongst other charts :-)Though my favourite feeling is playing the track myself and getting a hyped reaction from the crowd. I definitely had a feeling that this one would do well on the dance floors while making it, but you never know how tracks will shape up until you’ve tried them for a while.
How did you come to team up with the label and are there more plans to work together?
I’m very honoured to have a longstanding relationship with Defected Records which started about 5 years ago when I did my first Remix for them. We have an album coming up, of which the first tracks will appear in March and I’m really excited about this!
Would you say your ‘snappy house’ sound is your own genre that you’ve created and what are you trying to do with your sound?
I’m not really trying to do anything with my sound except trying to make what I feel is music that I would like to play and that fits into my sets. For example my next release on ABODE is called ‘Mantra’ is a big piano track. I get bored when I limit myself to one certain sound and I like to keep things fresh.
What’s has been your favourite piece of music you’ve produced and why?
I think my favourite pieces that I’ve produced are coming out in March this year on Defected Records. From previous releases I really like the atmosphere that takes over when I play my latest remix of Roger Sanchez’ Morning Prayer – always incredible 🙂
You’ve had major producers such as Roger Sanchez remix “Morning Prayer” for Stealth Records, and what big gun producers are lined up to give their magic touch to your releases this year?
This year I’m remixing Anabel Englund, Charles Ramirez and Luca M and the new single from Disciples.
Your infamous Flow brand has been a huge success on Slam! FM pushing boundaries on the airwaves in Holland, and do you enjoy the radio medium and does it present different opportunities to play a wider range of music?
I love making the FLOW radio show and I’m up to almost 180 weekly episodes now. It’s a great tool for me to keep up to date with the latest music and share my musical direction with the world. I try to keep my selection close to records I would actually play out.
Known for playing as many as 70 gigs in the space of two months, do you have any favourite clubs, festivals or shows and what made them so special?
There are many places I find very special and I’ve had great nights, from small clubs like Toffler in Rotterdam to big outdoor venues like Cacao Beach in Bulgaria and Ushuaia Ibiza. Good events come from good atmospheres which are created by sound quality, visual effects/lights, location and a good crowd that’s there to get lost in the music.
You have your own label, LTF Records which aims to support emerging artists from Holland’s underground house scene as well as your own productions, and which releases are your most proud of so far and why?
I’m proud of all releases we’ve done so far! Holland has amazing talents like Tierap, Kaaiman and Strik & Streek which have some more very dope releases lined up for 2017.
Can you also tell us how you first got into music and what were your earliest musical memories and influences?
I got into music when I first discovered a program called Magix Music Maker at a friend’s place when I was around 12 years old. I was blown away with the fun of creating music. The first album I bought was Daft Punk’s ‘Homework’, which I still cherish to this day and still sounds fresh!
Going from a music lover to getting into music as a career and how and where did it all start for you? Did you get a first big break that set you on your path and if so can you tell us a bit about that?
I was lucky to have a cool music teacher in high school. He made it possible for us to do a DJ course which I signed up for and have been hooked ever since. My first break was my first release on Armada Music called ‘Funky Noise’ which is what got me my first DJ shows.
Which DJ/Producers are currently hot for you and do you have 5 tracks that never leave your USB stick and what makes them so indispensable?
I’m really digging ANOTR’s productions at the moment. My 5 tracks are Josh Butler’s ‘Need Me’, which is a good wake up call for the crowd and a good starting point for my sets. ‘Gravity Check’ by Doorly and Darius Syrossiam is very groovy and fun. Emanuel Satie’s ‘Paffo’s Riff’ gives groove and positive vibes and always comes in handy. The Butch Remix of Cassius’ ‘Go Up’ absolutely destroys dancefloors and is one of my main peaktime tracks and Loco & Jam’s ‘Just Can’t Stop’ is a good steady groove that’s always good to have on the USB or in my case SD Cards.
And bef
ore you leave us what should we be listening to before we head out the door to hear you at Egg London on Friday February 3rd?
Check out my latest 8 hour all night long set at Toffler Rotterdam https://soundcloud.com/frankyrizardo/franky-rizardo-all-night-long-toffler-rotterdam-part-1 to get you in the mood. See you there!
Franky Rizardo heads up Egg Presents…alongside Klangkuenstler and ANOTR this Friday February 3rd at Egg London, All info on
