A word with DJ Ride on his Lightspeed EP
We recently got the opportunity to chat with one of the scene’s greatest DJs and producers. DJ Ride is a 2X scratch world champion from Lisbon and a well-seasoned bass music producer with releases on a wide range of labels.
So, your most collaborative release to date. There are some major heavy hitters on here, is collaborating more exciting to you now than before?
Yes, this record in a way works like a mixtape with some of my last collabs. I love doing it because we learn a lot in the process, and most of the time the tracks go to unexpected new directions. Also, it's a very good way to meet and work with people from all over the world, some of them that you look up to for years, like DJ Craze, one of my idols, we released two tracks together this year.
Great stuff. Tell me about what your writing process is like when it comes to working with others versus a solo project.
My beats are a mix between samples and Ableton live freestyles, and me messing around with my analogue synths and other machines that I've been collecting over the years. Sometimes with collabs, we send the project or stems back and forth till booth parts are 100% happy with the outcome. Solo projects are a more solitary process, but it's also good to be in charge of everything happening in your track, it's an incredible feeling when you achieve some skills on your own.
For sure, you can definitely hear the different approaches in the release. What are your plans looking forward to 2021?
I released a lot of music this year and it's sad I can't play it live, so I'd love to get back to live shows next year but so far it's uncertain. I'm finishing a new record for one of my dream labels if all goes well it will be released next year.
Is there anything you would like everyone to know about this release that may not be public knowledge?
It's the first time I'll have my music released on a cassette! it's such a cool format.
If you could pick one track to be your favourite, what would it be and why?
I like all of them, but I think the second one, ''LIGHTSPEED'', with Stereossauro and Holly is representative of what I'm trying to achieve with a collab, Stereossauro did the intro and that catchy arpeggio, I worked on the drop and Holly came up with the beautiful outro, it's the kind of instrumentals that bring you on a big journey.
The Lightspeed EP is available to buy now.