Juicy in the Tribal House! The Miami sound machine gets ‘Sexy Anytime’
Interview by Dan Prince
Prolific producer, DJ and label head Robbie Rivera has always marched to the beat of his own drum. The pioneer of his self-described “tuff, sexy, tribal house music” sound, the Puerto Rico native has continued to influence producers worldwide for over 20 years with his Latin influences and rhythms. Now Rivera is back to his roots with another sultry single to add to his impressive discography. “Sexy Anytime” featuring Miami’s Billy W, will be out December 8 on Rivera’s own Juicy Music imprint and will be accompanied by remixes from Frederico Scavo, DJ PP and Tom Sawyer. Not one to play up to the saturated EDM sound, “Sexy Anytime” embodies Rivera’s signature groove that we’ve all come to know and love. Drawing you in with its driving bassline and Billy W’s deep, seductive vocals, Rivera builds tension with brassy horns and reverbed drum hits before dropping into a combination flurry of big room energy. First premiered this summer at New York City’s Electric Zoo festival, the tribal house smash has already garnered early support from Funkagenda, EDX, Sunnery James, Markus Schulz, Swanky Tunes, Bob Sinclair, Oscar G, Bad Boy Bill and more…
Hey Robbie, welcome back to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you right now?
“What’s up Dan! I am chilling in my home in Miami. Blue skies and a beach view from my window. I am blessed to live in front of the beach.”
Really exciting time for you right new with the release of your latest perfect piece of production,’Sexy Anytime’ featuring Billy W. The tune was first premiered at New York City’s Electric Zoo festival, please talk us through the sound and history of the track that the likes of Funkagenda, Bob Sinclair, Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano are all over…
“I have been working very hard in the studio creating tracks with my tribal house sound and I wanted to create a track with a big horn drop. Then I wanted it to be hypnotic, deep, tribal and with energy. After a few versions I finally chose this one and sent it to my good friend Billy W to add the vocals. I think it worked! I sent it a bunch of DJs and now I’m getting great reactions.”
Soundcloud link : https://soundcloud.com/robbierivera/sexy-anytime
What is next agenda for your label Juicy Music?
“I am so excited for the label. Since we started releasing only house music we have been getting demos from all over the world. We have new releases from Dero, Frank Caro & Alemany, DJ Rooster, Armand Peña, and have released tracks by Louie Vega, Hoxton Whores, Federico Scavo, Stefano Pain, Delayers and Jus Jack to name a few. I am releasing about 3 tracks per month. I plan to bombard the industry with loads of music like I did back in the year 2000.”
How has 2014 been for the US dance music wise. The whole EDM scene has seen clubbers discovering new avenues of music…what’s your take on it?
“The US dance scene is very strong and is going through changes, which is great. House music is back in people’s heads again. I am very happy for this because the commercial EDM sound got saturated and pointless. It all just sounded the same and I get shocked when I get promos from top producers still doing this style. Isn’t it better to evolve and be original? It’s more exciting I think. I do see some EDM commercial DJs trying to do deep house and change their sound that made them big. Let’s see how that goes.”
What are the big 3 tunes in your box this weekend?
1. Kryder & Tom Starr – Jericho – bigroom tribal similar to what I do.
2. Dero – Going Back to My Roots – Piano House!!
3. S-Man – Runnin – Roger’s proper underground tune.
Your tune of 2014?
“Robbie Rivera Feat. Louie Love – La Gente (LOUIE VEGA MIX) – Juicy Music.”
Your DJ gig of 2014?
“Create, Los Angeles a few weeks ago.”
Rumours are circulating that Faithless may be back in 2015. Would you like to work on their material again, I know you are a fan…
“Yes I would. I love them and I believe I remixed two singles back in the day.”
True or false : A tarantula spider once crawled across your turntables during a gig in Brazil?
“True, but I cannot recall if it was a tarantula. I played 15 minutes and got the hell out!”
One of your childhood dreams was to fly on Concorde, that won’t be happening now. But will you be looking at a trip on the Virgin flights to outer space?
“I love airplanes and I almost flew the Concorde. The Virgin trip to outer space sounds too scary for me man!”
How is Miami clubland right now? Where’s hot and where’s not?
“Miami is great. Clubs are always packed with weekly performances by top DJs. We are seeing more techno and deep house DJs so there is a growing scene for new electronic music. People are tired of the same DJs playing the same tracks. It’s so annoying. I only go to a club when there are real DJs playing. I went to see old friend Dubfire a few weeks ago. Amazing. Miami and the rest of the US is saturated with so many DJs and unfortunately a lot of them are not good, but this is slowly changing.”
Your favourite new producer of 2014?
“Robin Schulz.”
Okay let’s rewind for a moment…
…what is the record that… made me huge!
“FUNKATRON!”
…reminds you of your childhood?
“Songs from New Order.”
…always gets you dancing?
“Tribal House.”
…you wish you would have made?
“Instagram app.”
Proudest career moment to date?
“Creating the Juicy Music and Beach brand and events in Miami.”
Your worst ever job…?
“Well nobody knows this but I’ve never had another job. I’ve been DJing since I was 15 years old and getting paid. I never had any other job, but I’ve had crappy gigs!”
Where will you be on New Years Eve and what tune do you think you’ll be spinning at midnight?
As of today I’m taking it off and partying with my friends! If a big offer comes I will consider.
Your hero – non music – of 2014?
My wife Monica. To be married to a DJ for so long is not easy. Every weekend I’m in some city other than home.
And finally…what is coming out from you studio wise?
“Dan I am creating my best music in years. I just signed a big vocal tribal house anthem to Axwell’s label Axtone, which is very exciting. I’m producing some tech house tracks and some deep vocal tunes that you will eventually get from my label. I can feel 2015 being an amazing year for me.”
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CONNECT WITH ROBBIE RIVERA:
Website: www.robbierivera.com
Facebook: facebook.com/robbierivera
Twitter: @robbierivera
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/robbierivera
Label: soundcloud.com/juicymusicllc