Interview exclusive with Ricky Stone

Interview exclusive with Ricky Stone

23 July, 2008 | 1.25PM

• Written by: LocaLisa
• Filed under: Music News: ‘cantonese woman’, fica ep, flat belly recordings, ricky stone, stonestakker, supernova

Born in the north of England and initiated into electronic culture at the famous Shelly’s in Stoke-on-Trent, Ricky Stone is a club star who chose to rise in the east.

Having relocated to Asia in 2002, these days—in between touring, producing, running two labels and yoga sessions—he continues to enjoy DJ life to the fullest whilst attuning himself to the nuances of the Cantonese language.

Click through for a quick conversation with this UK-born, Hong Kong-based DJ as he reveals highlights from Asia to America and label news of his fast-moving Flat Belly Recordings.

So, how did you find your big US tour earlier this year?

All in all it was a great tour and some crazy things happened.

Every time I tour the States I come home with an even more positive vibe.

Avalon in LA was a fantastic night that stands out.

Unfortunately I missed the Denver gig due to bad weather at Nashville Airport, but they did get me to play at a good after-party up there called 2 AM.

You’ve been based in Asia for six years now, what keeps you there?

Many, many, many things keep me here…

I love the climate, the people, the food and the service.

The crime rate is one of the lowest in the world, the economy is really good, plus there are my friends, my pets and my peeps…

Oh, and my yoga instructors, Kishore, Srinu and Sumit!

DJ-wise, what are you most looking forward to this year?

Keeping my health, having fewer delayed and cancelled flights (and more business flat beds!), more airports that have smoking rooms and, of course, more great gigs.

I do have some big gigs up coming and there’s a very special one in August but I am not allowed to talk about that, just yet.

Your new label, Flat Belly Recordings, only launched in May and already you’ve got a bunch of releases – what’s going on and why?

Yeah, it’s grown wings very fast and is on a bit of a roll.

The idea is to aim for more underground, after-hours vibes as opposed to the ‘big room’ sound of my other label, 852, which is now approaching its second year.

I’ve signed five artists for Flat Belly and will be looking to release about 8–10 projects a year.

To date the feedback and support has been very positive, so that’s great. 

How many tracks do you yourself have out?

At present I have three tracks out, some made last year and some more recently.

It was never planned; they all just happened to come out within a week of each other.

One is on FBR, ‘Shanghai Taxi’ (Kim Fai Remix); one is on Cr2, Rudi Stakker’s Remix of ‘Control the Universe’; and the other, ‘Fiasco’, is on Timo’s label, Berwick Street.

What else is in the production pipeline and whom do you find inspiring at the moment?

I have a project going on with one of my new artists – Will Bailey (Rudi Stakker).

And we have a track up soon on FBR as StoneStakker called ‘Cantonese Woman’.

I think the standard of music out now is probably the best it has been for some time. Musically among those inspiring me right now are Gui Boratto, Marc Romboy, Supernova, Rudi Stakker, Montero, Kim Fai, Alan Fitzpatrick and Fergie.

Financially it is a long way away from yesteryear but musically it’s much better – and that’s what it should be about… It’s kinda gone full circle and that‘s gotta be a good thing! ☺

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Flat Belly Recordings’ third release, Supernova’s ‘Fica EP’ is out now, exclusively on Beatport.

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