He’s one of the most-hyped DJ-producer doing the rounds so far this year, and with jolly good reason. Napoli-born Stefano Miele, better known to you and I as Riva Starr, has emerged over the past few years via huge releases on Jesse Rose’s Frontroom Recordings, Fatboy Slim’s Southern Fried and Claude Von Stroke’s Dirtybird imprint.

In a previous life he was known as Madox and produced breaks. 2010, however, sees him courting the left-of-centre house scene and enjoying worldwide success on the back of his debut artist album, If Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade, and a thumping new Miami compilation on Defected.

Both releases feature Riva Starr’s own unique ‘snatch’ production style, taking musical influences from the Balkans to the deepest depths of southern Italy. The man himself took time out from his unbelievably busy schedule (he’s booked a solid six months in advance) to chat with ITM ahead of his trip to Miami for the annual Winter Music Conference.

You’ve enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks in recent times, with IDJ labeling you the ‘most exciting name in house music’. How do you deal with all the attention you’re suddenly receiving?
Easy, I just do what I do and I’ll keep doing it! It’s very exciting and it looks like it’s gonna be a fun spring and summer. One thing I’m really enjoying is that it’s getting easier for me to get good stuff and very interesting project offers for my label Snatch!.

You’ve joined an illustrious group of artists to go In The House for Defected; what does it mean to you to work with this top label?
It’s amazing! Defected is such a big label with a totally respectful history behind it. It’s still on top. It’s a big and well working crew. They enjoy what they do and are well on the case when it comes to promotion and spreading the word. Plus their catalogue is immense, so I’ve used a lot of their older stuff mashed up with new bits to compile this Miami release.

The tracklisting is certainly adventurous; what mood were you trying to create when compiling and mixing it down?
I tried to make the most of their back catalogue, integrating old a cappellas with new bits. It’s a double CD: first is chunky, bitchy house and the second one is more world-beat, house oriented. I’ve been playing these kinds of tunes for a few years now and it was a good-sounding idea to compile a ‘sunny’ CD for the Miami comp! Not necessarily new tunes; my aim was to make a classic comp, something that might be listened to in a few years time as well.

Looking forward to the Miami Winter Music Conference? What have you got planned between your many appearances around South Beach?
Just hangin’ out with friends. It’s very hard to catch up with DJ friends as we all travel a lot, and usually live in different cities. Most of them for me are just emails! I’ve got a few meetings as well…oh, and there are a few mojitos booked too.

You’ve pioneered the ‘snatch’ form of bootlegging and remixing; can you describe this to those who might not have heard of it before?
Well, when I got into that kind of web promotion thing, I thought that the best way to do that was to give away stuff that couldn’t be possible to get on pay websites. That’s why I did a remix of The Doors or KRS One; I think that people should still support your work buying your original stuff. Then they can get some more stuff for free on the web; it’s a respect thang.

What’s behind your love and appreciation of the Balkan music scene?
I love world music in general, from Balkan to South American to South Italian traditional music. I used to make stuff with world samples with my Madox project as well (Careca, Alemao for example). I just like it, but it’s just a taste of my many musical influences.

Let’s turn to your new artist album for a moment; how have you enjoyed the response so far?
Wicked man, so glad people are feeling it. I’m getting a lot of response all around the world. It’s a good sign for me; this is supposed to be a fun album. I’m not taking myself too seriously, and for me it means that people still want to have fun with music.

Not that it looks like you spend much time there these days, but what is the scene like in southern Italy?
It used to be very cool, but now there are a few social problems in Italy. The south is suffering: benefits cuts and bad policy, Mafia invasion and heavy unemployment. I still believe that there’s big musical talent in Italy. If you have the chance to go there by the summer you’re gonna get a lot of amazing beach parties featuring everything from reggae to house, drum ‘n bass or whatever. Hopefully it will get socially better in the future.

Will you ever resurrect your Madox moniker, or have you moved full-time into the house scene and left breaks behind?
You never know, I still love breaks. I put some breaks tunes on my Riva album like China Gum and Black Mama, so let’s see.

You’ve got quite a few flights before you land in Australia for the Creamfields festival; what have you got planned during your down time here?
Again, hangin’ out with friends – it’s my fourth time there – and just relaxing for a while. It has been, and it will be, quite a busy year for me. Creamfields is gonna be bang!

What remixes or original productions have you got in the pipeline?
Well, Miami 2010 sampler with remixes for Crookers and Chris Lake, Michael Cleis and Dennis Ferrer (the hotter than hot Hey), a new EP on my label Snatch! (you can hear a preview on my Essential Mix) and a few big alternative bands remixes. I’m really enjoying remixing indie rock bands at the moment.

Finally, what’s your opinion of your bed-hopping Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi? Serious statesman or corrupt clown?
Hahaha! Corrupt clown and arsehole motherfucker. We’ll leave it there!

Defected In The House: Miami 2010 – Mixed By Riva Starr is out now through Defected/Stomp. If Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade is out now on Onelove/Sony. Riva Starr plays the Creamfields festival around the country this May.

Sat May 1 -Sydney
Sun May 2 -Perth
Mon May 3 -Brisbane
Sat May 8 – Melbourne