February is proving to be a busy time for Franky Rizardo. In the space of a week he releases his first EP of 2013 on Defected Records and plays for Defected In The House at Ministry of Sound. Prior to that, he’s also performing at a brand new Defected residency at Gibson, Frankfurt on 25th January. Before this flurry of house activity commences, we caught up with the Dutch producer to discuss competitive pressure and why 2012 was the best year of his life.
When we spoke around Miami time last year, you said that 2012 was shaping up to be the best year ever. Was that the case?
Definitely. This year I’ve been to some amazing places like Indonesia and Ibiza, off course. Playing at Pacha has been my dream of mine since I was a little drive-in DJ at the age of 13. The gigs were nothing short of crazy, with some of them going on until the break of dawn. There were moments during my sets where I needed to pinch myself to see if it was still real!
Production wise I'm very happy as I have tracks that are in the top 10 House charts on Beatport and Traxsource. I'm very happy that I'm able to produce and play a variety of music, and still get good feedback. For example ‘Real Love’ reached a really high position in the deep house charts, whist ‘Elements’ got into the Beatport house top 10. I don't like to stick to one style, and it's nice to see that people appreciate this about me as well.
Where were you for New Year’s Eve?
New Year's Eve is always a difficult one in terms of where to play. I prefer staying in Holland so I can be with my friends and family during the countdown. After the countdown I played three gigs in Holland and went from the last gig in Rotterdam straight to the airport to fly to the Dutch Antilles for a ten day holiday.
Now you’ve been producing for a good few years, do you feel that that you’ve found your artistic identity?
Yes I think I have. While I still produce some different sounding tracks I believe there is always a connection between them.
Do you feel the pressure of competition from fellow artists to constantly stay on top of your game? If so, does that help or hinder the creative process?
Yes, I check what other artists are doing, but what's most important for me is to stick to what I believe in and what I want to do. I do feel the pressure to stay on top of my game, but it's more a personal pressure I lay upon myself. If you only look at other people, it can kill your personal views on music.
Your new record ‘The End’ is about to be released on Defected. How did you hook up with Tess Leah for the vocal?
I met Tess Leah through Aaron Ross, who was the A&R of Defected at that time. He told me he had found a very good singer in London with a unique sound. After checking out some demos I became very enthusiastic to work with her. I flew to London and we recorded ‘On My Own’ and ‘The End’ in the same day.
Do you usually write tracks with the intention of eventually finding a vocal for them?
No, not always. Sometimes I’m producing something and I think hmm...this could be awesome for Tess or any other singer for that matter... It's difficult to write a track with a vocal in the back of your mind. I prefer making a small demo, and producing the final track around the vocals.
Was there any particular inspiration behind this record?
No, there wasn’t any real inspiration behind it, but I do have to say that the lyrics of ‘On My Own’ and ‘The End’ fit perfectly with the stuff going on in my private life.
You’re back at Ministry of Sound on 9th February…
Yeah and I'm psyched! Defected’s night has Ministry packed every time and I expect no less with this event. Every time I play at Ministry I’m blown away by the sound quality and energy of the crowd. There are not many places like it.
What else have you got lined up for the next couple of months?
‘The End’ will be released on the 28th of January which includes two mixes of ‘The End’ and another track of mine called 'Miami Vice'. In the next months expect collaborations with singer Justin Robson, more with Tess Leah and an EP with Skitzofrenix. Last but not least, my remix for Lego ‘El Ritmo Verdad’ will be released very soon!
Anything else you’d like to tell us about..?
Let's keep in touch through facebook.com/frankyrizardo and I hope to see you dancing, sweating and having the time of your life at Ministry on the 9th of February!
The End EP is out 4th February on Defected Records.
Franky Rizardo plays Gibson, Frankfurt 25th February and Ministry of Sound, London 9th February - click here for full event info
