Robbie Rivera makes a welcome return to the UK over the bank holiday weekend, playing out at the Filth at Mint Club in Leeds on May 3 and at Sessions at Area51 in Manchester on May 4. All this comes on top of the recent Beatport release of Robbie’s new album, Star Quality, whose tracks have been winning plays from the likes of Paul van Dyk, Axwell, Bob Sinclar, David Guetta and Tiesto. The album is the latest biggie to drop on Robbie’s own label, Juicy Music, a brand which has won fans all over the world thanks to releases from Superchumbo, DJ Flex, Saeed & Palash, Willie Morales, Oscar G, Todd Terry, Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso and Stonebridge, and some top-drawer parties in Ibiza and Miami, where Puerto Rico-born Robbie is now based. It’s been a while since his last slot in the UK, so EQ caught up to find out more…
How did you make the move from Puerto Rico DJ to international superstar?
I started DJing when I was 13. I didn’t know what beat matching was – I just started buying records and wanted to mix them together. I saw another DJ mixing and was like, ‘Wow!’ I started mixing tunes every day with two turntables without pitch control. At the age of 18 I went to Miami to study music production and learned about Midi Recording and Digital Audio Production using Protools and other software. Then I set up Juicy – and that started simply because record companies weren’t interested in my music. I was releasing my own tunes, but nothing really happened until Erick Morillo's label Subliminal released my filtered house tune Nothing To Offer. After that I put out tracks on some of the top labels in the world. But Juicy was created to release whatever I think rocks a floor. And not the label is doing incredible.
What has Juicy got coming up for the rest of 2008?
We’ve just released my new artist album Star Quality, and next up is the second volume of the Juicy Ibiza compilation series. We’re also releasing tonnes of music monthly – we’re very busy. There will also be remixes of my current single Back To Zero this summer, as well as another track called Move Move.
What DJs and producers are really hot right now?
There is a trend now of releasing cover versions, which I hope will die out soon as there are too many producers doing this. I’d love for producers to take their time and produce more original material with fresh new vocals. Hopefully, melodies and big choruses are coming back.
What are your plans for Ibiza this year?
I can’t wait for Ibiza. I have a new house there and my Sunday residency at Amnesia is going to be huge – again. Amnesia’s the best club to play in the world.
What do you think of the UK scene just now?
I think its doing great. The new generation of clubbers know their DJs more than before.
What can we expect from your sets in Leeds and Manchester?
Finally I get to play the UK again. Expect sexy, tough grooves and some banging breakdowns…
Robbie Rivera plays Filth @ the Mint Club, Leeds, on May 3, and Sessions @ Area51, Manchester, on May 4. Visit www.robbierivera.com, www.juicymusic.net, www.myspace.com/area51clubbing, www.myspace.com/filthleeds
