Impressive – dauntingly so. This is yet another descriptive word to add to the mountain of ways to quantify Riton, who’ll soon hit Australian shores for the We Love Sounds tour. It hasn’t taken long for Riton to become renown as a possible leader, as he’s one of the edgiest of players in the dance scene to date.
Starting out as a DJ at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the UK, he was soon discovered by Mark Rae and given a home within the Grand Central label family. As a label known more for downtempo and beats releases, it was where Riton delivered his outstanding and critically acclaimed debut, 2001’s ‘Beats De Jour’. Was the move from Grand Central to London a gradual progression? ITM finds out…
You might be thinking it was a gradual progression for Riton to find his current position, in the same way that say, an avalanche is gradual, but that’s definitely not the case. “Yeah, it was definitely a gradual progression, you know what I mean? My first record was so definitely electronic, so definitely not hip hop at all, you know what I mean? It was definitely a case of what was the theme of the day for me, that’s about it really”.
Courted by London after the success from ‘Beats De Jour’, he made eventually made it his base, where he’s still located today. Unparalleled, and arguably unnecessary, controversy surrounded 2004’s release of ‘Homeys and Homos’, which contained THAT remix of ‘Killing an Arab’, one of The Cure’s best-known songs. It was his homage, you might say, to the 80s and 90s style of music he’d grown up on. Often touted as the boy “in love with his analogue synth”, when questioned about this description, the answer needs not a second thought; “Yeah, I’d have to say that is pretty much me. I think it’s definitely true. I am”.
So when did he pick up analogue synth for the first time? “I studied music at college. When I was at college me and a mate used to sit around mucking about. I think I really suck at writing music, [but] I collect analogue synths. I don’t own a car or anything, but I collect synths. I’ve got a room with about 15-20 of them. It’s a bit like a garden shed, you know what I mean, somewhere to potter about, I do that with my synths. Everybody needs something like that. We used to try and make our own synths out of bits of other synths. If someone else writes music, I’m good at making stupid noises, trying new things. Generally if someone writes the music I can create some good stuff, [and] take a few risks.”
Mylo, the Scissor Sisters, Run DMC and the Human League obviously don’t think those noises sound terribly stupid. These are but a few who have lined up for Riton to do one of his infamous reworks of their music. Riton has also been called the “producer’s producer”, and Richard Dorfmeister (of Kruder & Dorfmeister fame) is one amongst a very, very long list who cite themselves as fans. Diverse and varied, anyone would have to say it would be hard to have a favorite project or collaboration?
“That is hard, it changes. I’ve remixed Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams and the like, which I think is pretty mental. Like why would these people want me to remix their stuff, you know? I’ve had some builders come round recently and I’ve got this signed gold CD in the shape of a heart on the wall in the hallway, and they’re like, ‘are you taking the piss or what man, you got some weird obsession with her?’ I’m, ‘nah, no joke, that’s what I do, make music. I did some work on a song of Kylie’s you know?’ (Laughing) Mental, when I think about that… I think there’s a few producers I could name, but won’t and then there’s band’s producers from, like, oh you know, the Arctic Monkeys. Yeah but most of the people I’d want to work with or who have inspired me are dead now honestly, so you know. Drug fucked, whatever.”
The staggering volume of what one person can achieve is impressive. Coupled with touring and a general love for turning the UK music scene on it’s head, owning a nightclub in East London, Riton has also found the time to run his own record label and model. Is music really all he eats and breaths? “I’m working on music all the time. Actually it doesn’t seem I can get a break at the moment. Touring, I’ll obviously take my laptop and be working on music, trying new things. We’ve just done [something for] Soulwax, I’ve got the ‘Space’ compilation to finish, then I’ve got to do the new album. My plans for the summer are to recuperate and chill out. I’m hoping in Australia, and just after, I can do that.”
He has a long time girlfriend too, Heidi, who he has collaborated with in the past, and who he remarks as being “extremely supportive”. I asked if there were any plans for a “happy couple” style musical project to emerge? ”(Laughing) Nah, people would be looking at her a lot, and not interested in me. She’s a lot more groovy. I think when people are out and a really fit chick is at the decks, everyone wants to dance you know, cos she’s hot. I’m a lot more energetic, like, wave your hands in the air, you know?”
But there is another project on the go. Gucci Sound System, which started in late 2005, sees Riton and Tony from Fat Trucker teaming up. It’s a concept which has seen the likes of 2manydjs and The Rapture playing for a ridiculously small amount of cash, say 5 quid, on a Thursday night at Riton’s club (Druzzi’s Baltimore Disco Lounge). “Basically that was a bunch of crew sitting around in London, [and] we want to make music and have a good time. So instead of booking all these bands we decided to have our own project and invite people to play with us. (Laughing) It was supposed to be this occasional thing.”
His music is passionate and full of energy, and after speaking with him you’re left wondering where he can find the time and motivation to fit it all in. Fiercely dedicated to music and holding a refreshing level of honesty, one gets the impression that this is what keeps Riton grounded and able to maintain the momentum with his current brand of disco flavored electronica. Whilst his name is the French (slang for Henry), and the current spice to his music is German inspired, there’s no doubt that Riton has a passion for UK sounds, and upholding the reputation England holds as the home of dance music is a priority for him. “[I’m] keeping it totally UK! Yeah, totally UK, if you know what I mean?”
I think we do.
Riton tours Australia in June:
Fri Jun 1 – We Love Sounds, Adelaide
Sun Jun 3 – Ministry Of Sound Sessions, Perth
Fri Jun 8 – We Love Sounds, Melbourne
Sat Jun 9 – We Love Sounds, Brisbane
Sun Jun 10 – We Love Sounds, Sydney
