Interview: RYAN (AR)

Born in Argentina but now based in Spain, Ryan (AR) found his footing quickly following his debut release on Clinique Recordings in 2019. The Barcelona resident took his deep sound to top tier destinations such as The Soundgarden and Hoomidaas, while earning the support of world class DJs Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren. Now following a collaborative EP with Not Demure to begin the year, Ryan (AR) makes his Nature Rec debut with ‘Winds of Harmony’. We had a chance to catch up with Ryan for an exclusive interview leading up to the release. Enjoy!

Hello Ryan, thanks for joining us. What is your current mood?

Hello! I feel very good, very happy for this interview.

How’s your year so far? And what are your plans for the coming week?

Well I think that despite everything that has happened in recent years we are much better I can't complain it was a great start to the year right now for this week to finish mixing some original songs and a remix for stellar fountain.

Can you name five tracks that were important in your musical development and why they are so significant for you?

I could name many, but without a doubt Guy j - Nirvana, Guy j - Lamur (Herny Saiz Remix) were very important to me. As was Dr. Kucho! "Hale Bopp" (Original Mix) and right now Volen Sentir - Fatoumata, I think they were the engine of my development, in terms of melodies, groove and feelings.

Talk to us about growing up and living in Argentina, how has it affected your musical taste and the music you make?

Living in Argentina and growing up there was very good, music is lived in a very intense way, and having the opportunity to see Hernan Cattaneo in a Creamfield or in a Moonpark was the first thing that made me want to make music and in that way.

You are now based in Barcelona however, tell us what prompted you to re-locate and how does it compare to Argentina in terms of nightlife?

The motivation more than anything was to get out of the comfort zone and be able to go in search of something more, I came to Barcelona and the first thing I did was sign up for a Music Production school, I came with clear ideas, in terms of quality of life we are in a first world country, you live more peacefully and that gives you time to dedicate yourself to your passions.

What are some of your best memories from first going to clubs? Were there specific nights or sets that really made you feel you wanted to pursue electronic music?

Well, I think that like all of us who started from the bottom we can have many nights, but without a doubt one of the best was seeing John Digweed in Mar del Plata with a 6-hour set, it was incredible, how someone could play for so long. time and move people to their liking, that's where I realized what I want to do.

What are your favourite venues to play in Argentina or Spain and why?

My career in Argentina was short, but if I had to choose a place it would be Bahrain. Here in Spain and especially in Barcelona, I really like Club Macarena, a small place but with a lot of energy.

What can people expect from you as DJ in terms of what you play and how you program a set?

My Sessions usually start very quiet, I like to go slowly, catch people on the road and when they least expect it I am very high, today I am focused on the organic sound, but there is always something progressive or deep. house in my whole.

If you could set up an event with a line-up of five artists of your choice, who would you book and what set times would you ascribe to the artists?

In the lead would be Hernán Cattaneo and Guy j, with the opening of Martín García and Marcelo Vasami, although they could also add Simon Vuarambon.

Although your first productions were more of the traditional progressive house variety, of late you’ve focused on a more organic sound, is this something you feel more comfortable with? And how do you see your sound evolving in the coming years?

I try not to stay in any musical style, I think it's more for personal evolution or search, today I'm more organic with less bpm and that's where I feel more comfortable today. I think I will continue down the same path.

You have a new EP out this week via Nature Rec, tell us a bit about the release and how it showcases your sound.

Well, it's an EP that I've been waiting for a long time, especially because it's a before and after for me, the EP shows the most current RYAN, with happy melodies, with a lot of feeling. I think it's the best version of me.

Can you walk us through the production process on one of the tracks? Whichever is most interesting for you.

Of course, Winds Of Harmony (Original Mix) I did it from the melody, I work very fast when making music, and this song started with some chords, then came the melodic idea, a bit of improvisation in the studio with my synths and then just i was adding a base to go with the track, i am very happy with the result.

This is your first release with Nature Rec, what made the label a good spot to release your original productions straight away?

Well, it is clear that Nature Rec is a label that has been doing very well and that was the first thing I looked at. So this EP has a bit of a fusion of organic with progressive and I think it was ideal for me.

What does your set-up like? Do you favor physical gear over digital? And what studio tools featured heavily in the writing of this EP?

I work a lot in digital, but I like to use synths, on this EP I worked a lot with the NORD LEAD, especially the melodies.

Generally speaking, do you find it more difficult to come up with original tracks than remixing a track from another artist?

I really like working on originals, but remixers are good at seeing how others make music, getting ideas, and ultimately trying to make a good version.

What’s a piece of gear or software that always gets used when you’re writing a track?

Without a doubt, Omnisphere cannot be missing.

How much road testing or friend feedback is done before you’re ready to say a track is finished? And who is someone you share your new music with first for feedback?

Not many, in the end you have to trust what you do, but the help of colleagues like Lupe Republic or Mariano Montori always helps.

What would be a musical extravagance for your studio you would pay for, if you were very wealthy?

Well, I'd have the entire Prophet collection in my studio, hands down.

What’s a book you’ve read or film you watched that has left an impact on you, and why?

I read a lot of Facundo Cabral, but a movie that marked my way of thinking was Captain Fantastic.

If you could travel anywhere for one day, all laws and limitations void, where would it be?

Australia, I would love to.

In your opinion, what’s the biggest risk you’ve taken and what made you do it?

Coming to live in Spain, and the main motivation was the desire to learn to make music.

What is your current favourite place to eat and what do you generally order there?

Me gustan los restorantes italianos, pero no tengo uno favorito.

iPhone or Android?

I'm from android, but I'll switch to iphone when I can.

Apart from music, what makes you happiest?

Today more than music, my family.

What does 2022 hold for you? Anything you can share with us?

Keep working to be better than yesterday, a better person, a better DJ, a better producer, a better father.

'Winds of Harmony' is available now via Nature Rec: https://bit.ly/3LLFWgL