Loading...
| Robbie Rivera Interview |
 |
 |
|
Born Puerto Rican, and bred American, super producer Robbie Rivera may consider himself the proud owner of one of the most extended discographies in dance history. Since 1996, this unashamed workaholic has been churning out first class tunes and has developed an impressive list of productions, remixes, compilations and albums. Recently, this discography was extended with the iTunes Top 5 mix compilation Juizy Ibiza 2009 and as of now, Robbie can add another notch to his bedpost: his fresh artist album 'Closer To The Sun'.
When Robbie’s not travelling or remixing, he is locked in either his Spanish or US studio, infusing the sounds he hears on his travels. Consistently innovating world class music is what sets him apart from the pack as a true artist, and it is no surprise that Robbie Rivera is now racing to the forefront of the genre. Voted Third Best House Producer in the Beatport 2008 chart and Best Remixer in the 2008 IDMA WMC Awards, there is no doubt that international music producer Robbie Rivera is already one of 2009’s hottest properties. Robbie is clear about his future plans: “More music - period!”
Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias “Flux BPM on the Move”
 His distinctive brand of sexy, pounding, dirty and electro tinged House ignites dance-floors across the globe, while the world’s top artists queue up to have Robbie put his sound to their tracks: Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Faithless, Moloko, David Guetta, Pink, Bob Sinclar, Ricky Martin and many others are strongly demanding Robbie Rivera’s remix work, who already gratefully used his unique remixing abilities and his distinctive approach. On a continuous world-tour, and with a diary resembling an airport departure board, his music has regularly packed-out the dance-floors of Ibiza, Barcelona, South America, Poland, Puerto Rico, NYC, Brazil, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Asia, Italy, Tunisia, Canada, Moscow, Australia, Vienna, and of course, his hometown Miami. His new album, 'Closer To The Sun' explores a new path for this American all-can-do producer. Thirteen brand new tracks produced in a timeframe of an entire year, for which he called in the assistance of several high calibre vocalists. The Dutch Jerique Allan, who already worked alongside world class producers such as Fedde Le Grand, Sandy Rivera and Gabriel & Castellon, can be heard on two album tracks. Old servant Fast Eddie, known for his hip house evergreen, 'Yo Yo Get Funky' (1988), is responsible for the vocal part on the forthcoming official single 'Let Me Sip My Drink'. The album breathes a big diversity and varies from Soulful House, Electro House to Trance orientated productions, where Robbie Rivera clearly strives towards a more “poppy” sound. This album is the perfect time to organise an interview with him, to find out how this album came about, and get his own comments for each track of this, certainly unique, and different album. Thanks to Niels from Capitan for organizing this interview, and Mark at Black Hole for the amazing music offered for my radio shows. Dimitri: It will be great to let us know if you believe that electronic dance music, and particularly House music, is the best music in the world and why? Is there any kind of EDM you just hate so much that you can even stand it for a second and why? Robbie: I think EDM is one of the best types of music in the world because it simply makes you want to dance period. Happy vibes are the best, you know what I mean. I like all types of dance music but hardcore banging 150 BPM is just nuts!!! Dimitri: Who are the 3 most important figures in dance music that have the most impact upon you, and have influenced the kind of music you play and produce? Robbie: Hmm I started early in 1995, so I must say David Morales, MAW & Armand Van Helden. Dimitri: You have been voted many times by your fans, as one of the best house DJ’s. Which elements do you think are consistent with a good and successful DJ (mixing skills, choice of best tracks, etc)? Robb Dimitri: Have you ever felt in any performance, that you lost your connection with the dance floor and the clubbers? If yes, how did this happen? Robbie: This can happen when you play in a new city that you have never played. It happens sometimes but after a few tunes you get the feel of the room. Dimitri: Which 3 personal productions and remixes from your back catalogue, do you consider to be the the best ever, and why? Robbie: 1. Closer to the sun-I got very creative on the melodies and turn out to be a new style for me. 2 funkatron-went nuts trying to create something new and it worked. 3. Feel this-the best tribal house tube ever made! Dimitri: You have your own massive label Juicy Music. It would be great to let us know why you decided to set up this label. Is there a certain motto around it, and who are the artists that you feel proud to have helped establish their career through this label? Robbie: I created this label because no record company wanted to release my music. So with 800 dollars, I started the company. We love to release tuff sexy house music. Dimitri: Let us now move to your superb album 'Closer to the Sun', released on Black Hole recordings. How long did it take you to complete the album? At the end of the day, do you feel 100% satisfied with it, or do you think that some tracks could have been improved even more? Robbie: It was a lot of work. It took me one year to produce 16 tracks. Then we select the best ones to create a balance between possible radio tunes and club tunes. I think I did a great job hehehe.
Robbie: 1. We Live For The Music 2. Closer To The Sun 3. You'll Never Know
5. Let Me Sip My Drink 6. You Gotta Make It 7. Keep On Going 8. Departures 9. The Rain
11. I Am A Badass 12. Rock The Disco
Robbie: Well the DJ Mag Top 100 has been getting more and more attention in the last few years. For some promoters it does matter, but being in there means something with regards that the true fans took the time to vote for their artist. Looking at the list nowadays there are deejays in there that haven’t been producing a record in their life so apparently yes it’s more a deejay list. More that a DJ/producer list nowadays Dimitri: Web Radio shows and Podcasts are part of the EDM culture now and you have, of course your own show. Why you believe web radio and podcasts are an essential part of the whole package of any DJ promotion? Robbie: It gives you the platform to send your music out there to be heard in territories where you might not even have been for a performance, so it’s more like a digital business card nowadays, and it gives you an opportunity to reach lots of people.
Robbie: Producing music is an important key to the success of your career, just DJ'ing doesn’t get you at the point you wanna be, so keep on producing and fighting for your career, and who knows you make it! Robbie Rivera – Closer To The Sun
Additional links to keep you updated:
|
Interview with Robbie Rivera about his album 'Closer to the Sun' out now via Black Hole recordings 
ie: I think the choice of music and when you play it in your set is the most important element for me. I know how to keep a small crowd of 20 people or a crowd of 30,000 people on the floor all night.
Dimitri: Please take us now on a mini virtual tour in this CD, and give us a small comment about each track. This can be a memory while you were producing it, or a comment about your collaboration with the specific vocalist taking part in the track, etc.
4. Your Door
10. 6AM
Dimitri: Thanks so much for your time and please give us your message to our web site visitors. Particularly to all the wannabe DJ’s and producers, who fight to make it big, but feel that their career doesn’t move at all.
