Up close and personal as his third album Definition Of Sound gets set to explode
Interview by Dan Prince
‘Definition of Sound’ still boasts all the unique production values of Riva’s previous albums ‘If Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade’ 2010 and ‘Hand In Hand’ 2013, but this time features a more club-ready tracklist including stellar collaborations with the likes of global dance star Green Velvet, Acid House innovator DJ Pierre, US Soul diva Dajae and Chicago House music don Gene Farris. What a year ahead for the superstar producer. We go in deep…
Rivaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! A huge welcome back to DMCWORLD…where on Planet Earth are you right now?
Hey excited Dan! I’m in London putting the final touches to my new album DEFINITION OF SOUND and then off to Chicago to play with the Cajual/Relief crew (Green Velvet).
The best music you heard today?
My kids singing the Octonauts at breakfast.
The south of France seems to be really getting into the groove recently, you jetted over to Marseille last week. How did it go?
It was a very good party, the area is incredible. The city itself reminds me of Naples (were I was born) on some things – the weather, food, wine and landscapes are incredible plus the people are very friendly. I loved it!
Last week saw your illustrious Snatch! Records deliver a fabulous remix package of your DJ Sneak immersed dancefloor shaker ‘In Da House Tonight’. Please talk us through the reworks of…
Emanuel Satie : Great version with big drums and fat sub bassline…Emanuel is on fire at the moment
Detlef : This is another one who kills it every time…Detlef kept things funky with bassline and groove…just wicked !
Pele & Shawnecy: These guys come from the Snatch crew and delivered a techier affair to perfectly compliment the whole package!
And if we thought that was enough for us, what do you go and do but bring us one of the most anticipated albums of the year!!!! March 11 this the date we are all waiting for when your third artist album ‘Definition of Sound’ is spanked out via Green Velvet’s Cajual Records. Before we get into the tracks, the album although still retaining your unique production values…this time features a more club ready tracklist with some stellar collabs. Why this route this time and how important/relevant is the title?
My previous album had more of an indie/electronic vibe. I really wanted to experiment more on that side but with this one I was fully into pushing my clubby sounds.. I think it’s the most complete work I’ve ever done…and I gotta thank Curtis (Green Velvet) for the big help on this!
So let’s get into it…11 tracks…please give us a few words on each of your new musical babies…
01. Riva Starr Feat. Dajae – ‘In The Midnight Hour’
The idea of this album is to mix up old school and new school vibes and this is the perfect example…diva voices and raw beats and bass!
02. Riva Starr – ‘Can You Feel Sunshine’
An ode to the coming spring…I really need sunshine in my life!
03. Riva Starr Feat. Green Velvet – ‘You’re Beating’
This is a proper funky roller with some hypnotic vocals from the man himself…
04. Riva Starr – ‘Without You’
Soul vocal chops and dubby house grooves with the fattest bassline ever on this!
05. Riva Starr – ‘Superfly’
This is a proper house tool, with a big surprise in the breakdowns!
06. Riva Starr – ‘Count On Me’
I would define it techno meets raw house meets analog synths meets amazing vocals kinda tune LOL.
07. Riva Starr ‘I Can See The Light’
Still super fresh for me, rough beats with lots of stop and go and a brainwashing siren as a cherry on top.
08. Riva Starr – ‘I Believe In You’
This was originally released on my label SNATCH last summer and has been a major tune of mine…happy to add it to the album.
09. Riva Starr Feat. Dajae – ‘The Loft’
Also this one (previously released on Cajual) has done some major damage last summer with heavy radio support from people like Annie Mac.
10. Riva Starr Feat. DJ Pierre – ‘Acid Train’
It has been an absolute pleasure to collaborate with acid house legend DJ PIERRE on this acid number…303 and 707 working it hard!
11. Riva Starr & Gene Farris – ‘After Dark’ (Is When We Move)
This is a proper raw tune with distorted bassline and dark vocals from the man like Gene Farris.
Some of the labels around the world that are doing it for you at the moment…
There’s plenty. I love Karlovak, Toytronic, Hypercolour, Fuse, Midnight Shift.
UP CLOSE…AND PERSONAL time…
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in your life and how did you overcome it?
I try to learn from my mistakes..I make mistakes pretty much every other day as I’m a very impulsive person…but that’s fine I try and grow stronger all the time!
Which famous person would you most like to see play you in a film?
John Malkovich or Kevin Spacey in their hey days.
What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Eat a pizza at Domino’s in Texas…
What makes you angry?
Eating a pizza at Domino’s in Texas…
Describe someone outside your field of interest who inspires you and why?
Dalai Lama, cause I like his approach to life.
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of?
Managing to build a solid label and crew. It has been incredibly hard and there is still a lot of work to be done but I love it!
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend, please give us a few words on each…
– Kerrier District – Techno Disco (Kink rmx)
Kink killing it as usual, he does it like no others!
– Santos – Truly Differently
Amazing unreleased tune from the man like Santos, superb vocal chops on a nasty deep groove
– Mat.joe – Hear That Sound
Forthcoming on Snatch, these guys are killin ‘ it at the moment… been a highlight in my sets lately!
– Metodi Hristov – Don’t You Know
Loving Metodi’s productions right now.. this dark number always makes it happen!
– Dark Manoeuvres – Envoy
Some old techno vibey tunes never miss in my selection!
A few gigs you cannot wait for this year?
ALL OF THEM!
And finally, what is the next studio project you are getting your teeth into?
I’m remixing a very special tune from the 90s…and I mean very special!
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https://twitter.com/cajualrecords
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