Sandy Rivera chats with Infusion

Dubai | 28/01/2010

Sandy Rivera gets beachy…at Ocean Club
The funky house king chats to Infusion before his Dubai show in February…

You work under a variety of pseudonyms including Kings of Tomorrow and Soul Vision. Does this benefit you as an artist or give you ability to express yourself in different ways?
It gives me the ability to make various tracks and songs for sure. I have a chill-out album coming out later this year and it’s all live under a band called KOTRAE.

How are your two record labels, Black Wiz and Deep Vision getting on?
There’s no more Deepvision, just Blackwiz now as I wanted to put all my efforts into one and really work it to the max. The label is doing great. I have an all track based album called the Blackwiz Farm coming out in April and the first single which is called “REDIAL” will becoming out in early Feb. Having my own label allows me to be more creative with no A&R trying to keep me down to just the one sound.

One of your most well known tracks, Finally (Defected) was released with vocals from Julie McKnight. Do you have any other vocalists you would like to work with?
Finally, what a tune! I have a singer called Rae, she is the singer on our chill-out album and the singer who also sang ‘Persuasion’ which has done very well for us. I am finding new talent, but it takes time to finish songs and get in studio time with my hectic schedule, but they will get done soon. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to music so it has to be absolutely right until I’ll release it.

You reportedly began DJing at 13 in your native Spanish Harlem, and later went on to produce soulful vocal house. Do you cite any influences from your early years?
Of course. Growing up in Spanish Harlem has everything to do with my music today. I was able to hear everything from the mid 70s till now and watch the change in sound and technology. Lucky for me I was born at that time. I see kids these days that don’t even know where the original songs are from, when someone remade something. Very sad.

Which artists would you most like to collaborate with, or do you already have plans with in 2010?
I would like to a song with Sia from Zero 7; that would be a lot of fun.

Your name bears a striking similarity to fellow artist Robbie Rivera – has anyone ever confused you with Robbie?
Is he not my brother from another mother who I never met? Haha maybe that’s more a topic for Oprah. I think it happens to us both. Although we did meet and we thought we should make a tune and call it the Rivera’s.

What are the next 5 things you want to do for your career?
1. Make more videos, as I feel more house songs need them. Stick to making albums.
2. I would cut my hair, but then I would loose the clown like image, but I do get confused for Jesus sometimes.
3. Get a producer to produce for me .
4. Get a computer to DJ for me .
5. Get a genetic clone who can travel for me, while I teach my new producer how to produce for me.

Big thanks to Sandy Rivera – you can catch him play at the fabulous new upgraded Ocean Club on Feb 4th. Check out our giveaways page and a lucky reader can win a table, plus free entry and bottle of vodka for 4 people! Or log on to infusion.ae/sandyrivera.dj for more info.
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What is your favourite technical toy?
My Apple Lap Top. I get to make tracks on it with Pro Tools, Ableton and tons of sounds. Good for very long flights and killing time in a hotel room, I couldn’t be without it now.
Which artist are you rooting for this year?
I told you, my Clone, he’s amazing, you should see him play. There are lots of great artists out there everywhere. DJ Sneak is back and that’s nice.
What does your last text message read?
Kev, I just put a new blackwiz 12” on my ftp in a folder called – C.Castel – “K.M.A” – C.Castel’s “K.M.A.” Mix. Anyway of getting this mastered by Wednesday. Give me a shout.
Who was your last phone call to?
My 2 year daughter, but she did not say much. A few words here and there. She said: “Hi Daddy, are you on the plane. I have one too. Bye!” She is very quick in conversation when she is playing with her toys.