We’re talking to Label owner/DJ & Music Producer Rio Dela Duna….
A native of Sète in Southern France, Rio’s fascination with disco music began at an early age. A renowned producer, DJ and label owner, Rio has taken this passion to become one of the House music industry’s major players. Discovering House music in the 90s, pushed Rio behind the decks, crossing paths with DJs Brown Sugar and Niko De Luka, with whom he founded the label Suka Records back in 2008. By 2012, Rio joined the might Stuttgart-based music group, HOUSESSESION; it was here that he created his own label, VAMOS MUSIC. Signing well-renowned artists on the scene including the likes of: Robbie Riviera, Ron Carroll, Cece Peniston, Federico Scavo, Robin S, Peter Gelderblom and Antoine Clamaran to name a few, has seen the label grow and become a force to be reckoned with, its releases regularly feature on Beatport. Alongside the main label, Rio promotes his music with his very own Vamos radio show, broadcast internationally, notably on IBIZA RADIO ONE. More recently Rio has branched out with sublabels, CHECK IN RECORDINGS, catering to the underground market and VAMOS TALENTS, providing a platform for new and emerging artists. As an artist, Rio’s productions have received support from the likes of legendary New York DJ Roger Sanchez, Mark Knight and David Guetta. His unique blend of Latin and Disco inflected sounds has seen his flagship track “EN EL MAR” released on BOB SINCLAR’s YELLOW PRODUCTIONS / AFRICANISM label, alongside other releases on major industry labels including: David Penn’s Urbana Recordings, Stealth, Pacha, Subliminal, and the mighty TOOLROOM…
Interview by Greg Mitchinson
A huge welcome to DMCWORLD Rio! What first got you interested in music?
Actually when I was young my father used to listen disco music, he owned vinyls like Bee Gees, Boney M, so I’ve been fascinated by disco stuffs then later I discovered house music which is for me the disco’s baby.
How did you come to start a record label?
I started to work for a label with Kaa Production and the label Suka Records, I liked this work so much and decided to create my own imprint, then Vamos was born…
Is there any advice you’d give aspiring producers…?
Of course, work work work, I use to have an eye on all the demos I receive, and I see a lot of producers improving their productions. It’s cool to sign artists and to see them grow up and see them sign on other nice label too, for me it’s a good achievements. So just don’t be focused on one track, work more and more, listen to music and get inspiration from the producers you like. Hard work pays!
Tells us about a day in the life of your label….
One thing I couldn’t forget is the first promo sent of the label, my own track « Maracaibo », Roger Sanchez played the promo on his Release Yourself radio show announcing the first release of the label, what best to start.
What do you look for in signing an artist?
I’m looking for exclusivity of course but also I like to follow up with the artist and see him growing up, demos after demos seeing the improvements of the productions. This is what I like and what I’m searching for.
What motivates you?
Music! Music never stops, music is everywhere, and even when you are not inspired, you can just listen to music, any kind of style, and then you see the light again.
Who do you aspire to in the music scene?
I really like Bob Sinclar’s person. He is humble and simple, He is very healthy and he is one of the French house pioneers. He is really a huge example for all of us and I’m very proud to can work with him on some projects !
Whats new/next for you & your label?
So actually nothing very special for the label at the moment, trying to keep a certain quality level with the artists on the releases, by the way I will be very happy to reach 10 years with the label in 2022 ! And personally I have another single on Bob Sinclar’s label with my friends Greg Marty and Ashley Benjamin which is very exciting!
If you could take a sneak peak into the future, say 5 years from now…what would you hope for.
I hope the label will still stand a certain quality level with cool artists from now from the past and brand new I will discover ! It will be already cool, I of course of to reach more top 100 etc.. and tracks selected on official Spotify playlists, or why not a hit!
What genre/sound are you enjoying at the moment?
I like a lot of styles in the music, music is just a feeling, you can feel a deep house vibe, but not another deep house track, you can feel a nu disco stuff etc… It’s just my own feeling and everybody knows I love tribal, latin vibe with percussions, but I’m also enjoying a lot disco / funky stuffs.
Is there another label you’d like to collaborate with?
I of course have some objectives, I’ve signed a few years ago on Copyright Recordings a record published by Defected, but I never signed on the main label. So, yes Defected Records is the label I would love to collaborate with…
Finally, with the many labels out there these days , tell us what you think it takes to stand out & keep moving forward in this business.
Yes we can see a lot of labels, we see a few of the « old labels » are not reaching people anymore, and some new labels are doing well with good starts, well it’s very cool to still be part of the « active » labels. I think there is no secret, labels just need to keep on develop artists and be serious with mail answers, contracts, promos etc… It’s cool for an artist to be supported so we have to move on this way to keep on spread good music & good energy.
Thank you Rio…
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Rio’s contact details are…
rio@vamos-music.com
