LoginSign Up

DJ-Follower Highlights RIVA STARR: new 'Hand in Hand' LP out May 20th

00:00 Nov/30/1999

With an album on the way, it is the perfect time to highlight one of the house music’s brightest minds – RIVA STARR. Coming from Napole, Italy – Stefano Mielo broke through in 2009, instantly establishing himself as a DJ/producer/label boss that has no boundaries.  



“I’m a house DJ… My house style is like a magician’s hat; you can put your hand in there & you won’t know what will come out of it.”



That's what's so special about Star - he never stands in one place for too long. As he told in an interview:



“Music is all about freedom, inspiration and fun, and the one sound I never tend to turn to for inspiration is… well… my own…!”

Most artists, producers and DJs have their own easily recognizable sounds. Stefano is the complete opposite of that - constantly re-inventing the music he loves, he even has a term for his own personal bootleg remix technique. 'Snatch' - pick-pocketing whatever music style and making it his own. 'Mezclat' - the Spanish word for blending or fusion is also used to describe Riva's special style of music. Disco, Folk, Electro, Swing and Balkan beats - an eclectic mix of influences is always backed up with a cheeky, wobbly footprint.



"This is the sound of one of the brightest new Starrs in the dance music universe and one who's at the very top of his game" - MixMag

Hype corner: From A-Trak to Tiesto, Gilles Peterson to Pete Tong, Annie Mac to David Rodigan and almost every one in between - Riva Starr is highly praised! He's gone from co-headlining the infamous Sensation 2012 events in Amsterdam (with Dennis Ferrer, Mark Knight and Hardwell) and opening for the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Kelis and Jamiroquai in Ibiza, and for Tiesto and Benny Benassi in the States, to regular underground gigs for the likes of Warehouse Project (Manchester), El Row (Barcelona and Ibiza), Cocoon (Frankfurt), Picnik Electronik (Canada), Watergate (Berlin) and Avalon, Beta and Set (USA).


Starr about his breakthrough single 'I Was Drunk': 'I love playing it at the end of my set! Strangely, a lot of different DJs played it and that makes me really happy... It's kind of an unexpected crossover tune! Which is great, as I didn't set out for it to be like that.'



Currently, the Italian producer's preparing his second album, having already put out the first EP in wait for it. After 2 years of hard work and numerous collaborations, 'Hand in Hand' is set to drop in 20th May. He points out in the interview below the official video for 'Absence', that the new album moves away from the funnier dance tracks towards a more mature style of music.


So here it is, the official (surreal) video for first single from Riva's sophomore album, first of an eclectic A-list of collaborations ranging from Roots Manuva and Speech Debelle to DJ Sneak and from Horace Andy to Rssl via Ce Ce Rogers, Vinicio Capossela and Jestofunk...



When asked how he manages to stay fresh and innovative, Stefano told:



'I try to listen to ALL the music possible with no prejudice... To me a good song is a good song no matter what genre it is. A lot of people hate producers that go through different styles, but I think that's my strong point. I would hate to be a producer that's stuck to one style, or always sounded the same - its about having fun, experimenting with different styles... I couldn't be a monotonous producer/DJ... Its all about the partay!'

To finish things off, a more in-depth interview with the man of the hour. Voted 'Best Music Production and DJ School' by DJ Mag, Point Blank often gets the best producers in the studio to share their tricks and producing techniques. A thoroughly enjoyable video, this one offers a great insight for producers, but should also be fun for music fans!







Latest news


Back to news

Copyright 2012-2019
DJRANKINGS.ORG n.g.o.
Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan
Terms & Privacy