David Riascos: The future of dance music?

David Riascos: The future of dance music?

18 December, 2007 | 6.25PM

• Written by: Ben Pearson
• Filed under: Music News : alicia group, david riascos

Recently, Alicia Group’s editor and webmaster Ben Pearson caught up with one of the youngest and most respected electronic music producers in Colombia, David Riascos.

While other Colombian producers have just released one or two singles on Beatport, David — who is just 18 years old — has released almost 12 EPs on Beatport, Juno, eMusic, Napster and iTunes, to name but a few.

During 2007, Colombia has been the home of the rise of new music wonderkids and serial entrepreneurs.

Besides David, People like Juan Navas, Diego Orjuela, Groove Man and Mario Ochoa were on everyone’s tongues throughout the year.

Ben discussed David’s future plans in a full-length conversation that may interest all music freaks out there.

We all know that last year you won the nationally-recognized Clandestino contest. How was the experience?

Well, I have to say that I was really nervous and I didn’t really see it coming.

As soon as I got into the club and saw the other participants, I freaked out.

They doubled my age, so for me they were the teachers.

Well, sometimes students are better than teachers, huh?

It was really great, I’m really happy to be the Clandestino 2006 breakthrough producer.

Since you won the contest, you’ve been earning the respect from hundreds of Latin American and even European producers. How did you feel when Techsound announced the winners?

Haha, It’s a little bit difficult to describe it.

I didn’t feel my arms.

I remember the feeling but I don’t have specific words to describe it — I was flying!

How were you introduced to dance music, and what things have you been constantly changing throughout the passage?

I’ve been loving and working on dance music for so long, I don’t remember a key moment when I said “Hey dude, from now on I’m gonna be a producer”.

In fact, this whole thing started when I was a little kid, and everything has been a process.

I was used to playing instruments and studying audio stuff.

Today, I’m pretty happy I’m into the dance music scene.

Lately, you have been releasing numerous remixes and original productions on Italian, American and Colombian labels. Which track do you think has been your best hit so far?

It’s a difficult one, I really don’t know.

I’m not used to describing my music and work with a specific kind of it.

All my tracks and remixes have their own thing, their own style.

I love all my tracks, but the three releases that for me are hits are ‘We Rock Again’, ‘The Journal’ and ‘Over And Over’.

What ingredients help you to produce a track?

Mmm, maybe a good beer or a good snack.

I love to make music while I’m eating, it helps me a lot.

Is there a benefit to being an electronic music producer in Colombia?

Anyone can be an electronic music producer and sell his or her music on the internet, but today we have so many tools that make music production a career for amateurs.

Taking it on in a professional way makes the difference.

It’s not about what everybody calls music; it’s about sound quality.

To indulge in your passion and be involved in music is the real benefit.

You’re known for producing groovy, heavy, electric and successful dancefloor tunes. How would you describe your sound?

You’ve just described my sound, hehe.

Totally wicked!

How is dance music scene evolving in Colombia?

It’s always getting bigger and I love that.

Today, you can find numerous DJs of each kind of genre out there.

Six months ago, you weren’t able to find even one dance track on a radio station, but when you listen to the same radio station today, you find four or almost five tracks — I love that!

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With a 5-year professional career, David is one of the few DJs in Colombia that is able to spin an entire DJ set comprised of his own music.

In fact, in Clandestino’s final, David spinned a one-hour DJ set compiled with most of his original productions.

Was the idea to became the winner?

Check for yourself in the video on this link.

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How was the gig when you were announced as the Clandestino winner at the re-known Colombian club, La Sala?

It was totally wicked.

It was a great gig, and people dance all night with my own music.

I felt great!

Since you started to spin at clubs like Metropolis, Le Club, Loop, Living and 4Beat, your name has been constantly growing in popularity in Bogota’s scene. Any gigs to remember?

I think each gig is unique, but for me the best one has been Bogotrax Festival at Plaza De Los Periodistas.

This summer, you did what no producer from Bogota has ever done. You produced a hit which was supported and even remixed by world-league DJs such as DJ Marbrax, Warner Powers, Dean Newton, Eric Prydz and Rod Debyser, to name but a few. Did you know their music before most of them worked on ‘We Rock Again’?

Of course, I’ve always been a huge fan of all of them.

The track will be out around February with lots of remixes.

I hope you like them!

Are you interested in producing a big vocal record?

Actually, I’m not.

I don’t like the big vocal stuff.

On most of my tracks, I just use short acapellas; nothing too long, just cuts.

What was your inspiration to become a DJ? At what age did it happen?

The music, and the energy of the people.

It happened almost 5 years ago.

Are you interested in hooking up with any specific DJs for a collaboration in the future?

Maybe with some international and Colombian DJs/producers, but none specifically.

I’m not that interested in working with any other DJ.

I have my reasons, hahaha.

You were one of the first names to record for Alicia Records. Are you always that free when signing a label?

Rarely.

In the music business, I’m really careful and for me the conditions have to be really good.

The thing is that since Juan and Diego founded Alicia, I’ve been talking with them, so I trust them a lot.

It seems like Colombia is divided into big, old names and the new generation of DJs and electronic music producers. Is there anyone specifically that you admire from your country? Why?

From the new generation of DJs and electronic music producers, I really admire Andy Kallery (who for me is the best Colombian DJ from that new generation).

I also admire Andy V, Alex Young, DJ Moon, Michael Vall and Juan Navas.

They all have their own groovy style, and I’d dance to their music all night long with no problem.

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In December 2006, David Riascos shocked everyone again with a worldwide reknown appearance.

His track ‘Get Ready To Dance’ was charted by Ministry of Sound as a ‘Top Song’ for December.

Since then, his productions have been constantly appearing on radio shows from European and American DJs like DJ Ophelia Forealia, DJ Blonde, Darin Epsilon, DJ Applique and Dean Newton, to name but a few.

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You were one of the big surprises that Bogotrax Festival had for Bogota music fans this year. With what DJs did you share a booth, and which one did you like the most?

I think I shared booth with half of the DJs on the Bogota scene, hehehe.

I really like the sets of the French DJs — they were absolutely great!

As far as I know, this year you spinned at Like Me, La Sala and even at the The Chemical Brothers CD launch party on Metropolis. Is every set of yours compiled with your own music?

Not always.

I’m used to using my own tracks, but I’m also used to playing my favorite tunes from worldwide producers.

This year, Juan and Diego (Alicia Group CEOs) hooked you up to work on Alicia Records as the New Audio and Media Manager. Was it important for you?

It has been a nice experience because it’s cool to listen to the new talent on our country and review it.

Nowadays, when somebody listens to your music and sees that you’re only 18 years old, their reaction is totally speechless. Pretty good, huh?

Yeahhh, it rocks!

Any plans for the future with your music, with your work and with your life?

Yeah, this upcoming year I’ll be starting a commercial strategy for my music.

I have a new manager and a new publishing department.

Along with a team of people, I’ll start this soon; meanwhile, it’s confidential stuff!

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Despite the success of this kid, since Juan Navas and Diego Orjuela launched Alicia on September 2006, new names like Strike, Technical, Itagui and Trebol have been emerging in Colombia, which seems to be the place for Latin American dance music in the past couple of years.

Nowadays, Cartagena is home to the biggest summer dance festival ever seen in Latin America.

This January, the third version of the Summer Dance Festival will take place in Playas de Manzanillo with the participation of electronic music masterminds Armin Van Buuren, Paul Van Dyk, Deep Dish, Axwell, Deadmau5, Cedric Gervais, Mark Knight, Robbie Rivera, Bad Boy Bill, Donald Glaude, Judge Jules, Eddie Halliwell and Dirty South, to name but a few.

Too many things can be said, but it seems like something unexpected, glamorous, creative and never-seen-before is happening in Colombia.

The rise of new labels like Alicia and Strike, and new talents like David Riascos, have been helping Colombian dance music scene for a couple of months.

With the contribution of Colombian summer dance festivals to the scene growth and David Riascos and Mario Ochoa to the European and American house scenes, DJs, music producers and Colombian entrepreneurs that don’t exceed 23 years of age are making up the future of dance music in Colombia and even worldwide.

This has never happened before.

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• Check out David Riascos on Beatport