Snatch! Records bossman Riva Starr graced us with a brand new LP earlier in March, ‘Definition Of Sound’ is the latest album from the London-based producer and it arrived via Cajual Records, the prestigious imprint of tech legend Green Velvet. The main man has brought together a killer ensemble of peak-time essentials and set-closing cuts, featuring a number of collaborations on the release with names like Gene Farris, DJ Pierre and Green Velvet himself all contributing. Taking a pause from an incredibly hectic schedule this week, Riva fielded a collection of Qs from the WWD team, talking us through the trials and tribulations of putting together an album in the modern music landscape
WWD: Hi Riva! Thanks for taking the time to have a talk with us. What have you been getting up to this week?
I’m full on with the album promotion and also finishing the next IN DUBB > Sonar compilation to be released in June on my label SNATCH!
WWD: You’ve just released your new album ’Definition of Sound’ via Cajual Records. Did you approach the LP differently to how you would approach an EP?
In a way, yes. I would say an album is a more complete body of work and that it could be considered as an extended EP with a range of tracks that could be played from the warm up to the peak time to the closing of a party.
WWD: Tell us about the moment you decided “yep that’s it, all done!”.
You never say that.. the deadline says that for you LOL
WWD: Is there a reason you chose not to release it via Snatch?
I really wanted to do something on Cajual with my friend Green Velvet. They have been supporting me for a while and we have been talking about this album project for years, so yeah, maybe the next one will be on my label you never know! 🙂
WWD: How do you see the value of an LP in the modern era of electronic music?
I still think that if the full album has no fillers and there’s quality from the first track through to the last then it makes sense. Nowadays people can choose to buy just single tracks from an album and that’s fine but if all the tracks say something you can also choose to get a bundle, save some money and have a bunch of bangin tunes for your sets. I’ve always liked to make albums cause it gives you a different vision of your work and even if in the future this format will become more obsolete I will always try and do some.
WWD: What was the one thing you found most difficult about putting it together?
To be honest this particular one has been pretty easy. It was all depending on me and the featured singers. It took me 2 years to complete HAND IN HAND, my previous album, that’s because I had to rely on musicians, singers, writers and every fucking issue in between :)
WWD: Your sound is a most unique one when it comes to productions. In your eyes, how has it progressed in recent times?
I’m definitely more focussed on the club now, also working daily on my label SNATCH! gives me a wider sound spectrum of choice and that also influences me a lot. My sound will always progress and change, I rarely stand still on one sound for more than a second 🙂
WWD: Do you think it is important for an artist to find their true sound before they will really start to progress with their career?
It would be ideal but the reality is that most of the times it takes quite a bit of time to realise what sound you feel comfortable with. You need to try things and try again and then eventually try more.
WWD What do you personally consider to be the decisive moment in your artistic career?
When I decided to launch my label, that really opened my eyes even more on the club scene and also gave me the opportunity to build a fantastic crew of people that are working hard with me!
WWD: After the great success of the last ‘Defected’ show in The Wright Venue, how are you feeling coming back to play in Dublin April 16th? Do you enjoy the Irish atmosphere?
Man that was wicked, such a great vibe, really looking forward to be playing there again!
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