Stunning debut ‘Backtrip’ EP on Intec from the man from Madridejos
Interview : Dan Prince
Ramiro welcome to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you today?
“Hola! Thanks a lot. I’m in my studio right now, it’s in my own house in Madridejos, a small village in the centre of Spain. I woke up early and I’ve been working on a new project.”
A huge week for you with the release of your highly anticipated debut on Intec with the superb three track EP ‘Backtrip’. Please talk us through the sounds of the three tracks…
“It is! So excited about it. I made the tracks thinking 100% about the dancefloor reaction. I want the people to dance like hell with these. You will find techno flavour, chunky grooves, slamming beats, dark atmospheres and vocals all over.”
https://soundcloud.com/intec-digital/sets/ramiro-lopez-backtrip/s-IGkxa
How did the whole Intec signing happen…Carl Cox and Jon Rundell love you!
“It has been very much a priority for me as I feel I can really identify with the label. I made the EP and after I roadtested them out and had good feedback, I sent them to Jon. Thankfully Carl and himself love them as much as I do – I was really focusing on sending the right tracks to the label. Intec is one of my favourite labels, Carl has been an idol for me ever since the beginning and I truly admire Jon. He also tested the demos out and finally sent the tracks to Carl. I remember I was at Carl’s party at Space Ibiza and when he started to play my tracks it was so amazing. I also had the chance to say hi and give him a big hug. I’ll never forget that night. The next day Jon told me they wanted to sign them – a dream come true!”
Where are some of the clubs that you road-tested the different tunes?
“I’ve been playing a lot in Spain during this summer. I tested the EP out at Goa (Madrid) twice, great energy there and a perfect place for my music. I also played them at Dreambeach, a huge festival in the south of Spain and, of course, in Ibiza during my residency at the Suara parties at Booom! I visited Croatia and Montenegro for the first time as well. Massive festivals around there during the summer.”
Must have been a great moment to finally see your name in the Beatport Top 10?
“Yes. You know something, I have a wall in my studio with lots of pics of my goals. One of them is from the main beatport page. When I pasted it there two years ago, it was like something so far and difficult to reach. Now I can paste a new pic with my name on it. J Hope to have more of them in the future. Beatport sales are not the main thing for me though, but of course is something important.”
Gotta ask this question. Your birthday gift you gave Coyu a few weeks ago in Ibiza. Was it round and edible?!?!?
“Heheheheh….it was! Beautiful cake with a big cat face on the top. Everybody had sparklers and sang happy B-day to him. Kenny Larkin was playing and he turned down the volume to sing as well. A nice moment.”
Now what I had in mind! So, how was the season in Ibiza for you, we caught you down at Booom! which was great…
“It has been terrific, a really successful first year for the weekly Suara party. I really enjoyed it and feel proud and grateful to have played a part. I think next year we’ll come back with more!”
Where do you stand on the whole ‘Ibiza is too VIP’ debate?
“I think nowadays there are so many different parties that everybody can find the right place for themselves. Of course there are many VIP events but also lots of interesting proposals. I think the season in Ibiza is something unique and good for the electronic music scene.”
If you had a night off in Ibiza, what club and DJ would you check out?
“Carl Cox’s ‘Revolution’ at Space. I actually went four times this summer and listened to two of my own idols at the same night: Carl Cox and Adam Beyer. Circo Loco at DC10 on Monday, I love the vibes of this party. Cocoon, top party and line ups. It’s also cool to enjoy an ‘Enter’ experience with Richie Hawtin, Paco Osuna and Dubfire.”
Your biggest tune of the summer – ‘Spirit’ or ‘Hoodlum’?
“I’ve been playing both a lot but honestly, ‘Hoodlum’ has been one of the real hits in Ibiza this summer. I’m very happy with the feedback regarding ‘Spirit’ though.”
We hear you are quite special in the kitchen…what is your signature dish?
“Food/cooking is my second passion! I love it. I like to try new things. I love to cook Mediterranean but also food from other cultures (Japanese, Mexican, Indian…), I usually get together with my friends and cook for them. I can’t pick a special dish as I tend to change the menu every time.”
An up and coming producer we should be watching out for in 2015?
“Already well known but I’m gonna vote for Dubspeeka as one of the hottest artists for 2015.”
What are the big 5 tunes in your box this weekend?
Ramiro Lopez- This and That – Intec
Sam Paganini – Dusty – Drumcode
Frankyeffe – Come On – Riot
CatRoll – Knock Out – Dark And Sonorus
Audion – Mouth to Mouth – Spectral Sound
It’s that time again, the DJ Top100 Poll. Do you give a shit?
“It doesn’t get my attention. I don’t know much about it as I don’t think it really represents the scene but I respect the people that care about.”
You hail from La Mancha in central Spain, renowned for it’s dry plains! How did a kid from there first get involved with dance music in the first place?
“My first contact was listening to some radio shows at home. But, where I really fell in love with dance music as was in Family Club. It’s a famous club in this area. There I listened to the first international artists live and it changed my life. Funny thing is after many years clubbing there, I ended up playing there as a resident DJ for 3 years.”
Early producers that first grabbed your attention?
“Richie Hawtin, Christian Varela, Mark Broom, Ben Sims, Marco Carola…”
What did your family think of your career choice?
“In the beginning they saw it like just a hobby. They didn’t take it too seriously as they wanted me to focus on university and my career. When they realised DJing is what I really wanted to do and it is what made me happy, they gave me their full support. Now they are proud parents.”
Not many people know this, but Ramiro Lopez is really good at…
“Other than cooking, some sports specially Handball – I’ve played for more than 8 years. I’m also a university graduate in Sports and Exercise.”
What is the record that…
…reminds you of your childhood?
Snap – The Power
…always get you dancing?
Inner City – Good Life
…reminds you of being broken hearted? Aerosmith- I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing
…you wish you would have made?
Moby – Natural Blues
The Forbes DJ Rich List with some producers earning more than $20 million a year. Thoughts?
“Good for them! As far as they love and believe in what they do, it’s cool.”
Who is the craziest member of the Suara crew…who is always the last man standing?
“I can say all the kitties love to party. Edu Imbernon and the Big cat Coyu are good party partners.”
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“I’m working now on some specific targets. I’m going to keep close to Suara and I’d like to do the with Intec. I also have a few more labels in my mind that I’m focusing on. New stuff is on the way!”
Thank you for your time dude!
“Thanks to you Dan! I really enjoyed doing the interview. Proper one!”
https://soundcloud.com/ramirolopez
https://twitter.com/ramirolopez_
http://www.beatport.com/artist/ramiro-lopez/43509
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ramiro-Lopez/126018007414702
