Some days ago, we wrote a review about D. Ramirez, because of the release “Keep us together” on Toolroom Records, produced with the duo Mara and the fantastic vocalist Steve Edwards that all come together from Sheffield. This interview follows notably the one of Michael Woods who released too on Toolroom Records an EP “Nitro” and Thomas Schumacher. First of all, I would like to thank D. Ramirez who answered our questions. Have a good reading!
“Hello D. Ramirez,
You’ve just released with Mara and Steve Edwards “Keep us together” on Toolroom Records. Can you give us more information about this release, musically speaking?
> I bumped into Mara after not seeing them for a few years and we decided to get into the studio and make an anthem. Previous tracks i had done with them had all done amazingly well but were very underground, this time we wanted to make a smash that went across the board.
How did you met Mara, recognized as one of the most innovative and respected production duos, but also known as superstars of the progressive-house scene in 1997, notably by releasing music on their newly-launched label Choo Choo Records. Is it thanks to your first release in 2001 with your first track “Burnin’ up” on Choo Choo Records or because you live together in Sheffield?
> Yes i first met them in my home town of Sheffield and after that they rented a studio in the same place that i had mine - It was then that we started to work together. In fact Mara and Choo Choo records were partly responsible for the D.Ramirez moniker as they wanted to release the darker tracks i was working on at the time back in 1999 and i needed a new name to release under.
And what about the extraordinary vocals of the Grammy-nominated Steve Edwards. How did you guys met and worked together?
> Steve is also from Sheffield and both myself and Mara had worked with him extensively in the past so it was logical to get together with him again for this collaboration.
For 2011, what we expect from you? An album? New tracks for sure? A compilation maybe?
> I am currently working on a D. Ramirez and friends album for Toolroom which should be coming out in March next year which will feature all the tracks and collaborations i've been working on in 2010. Also i'm working on a secret project in LA for Jan and Feb which promises to be something special - watch this space.
Concerning the music you’ve done along the years since 2001, which track did you think help you to win credibility and opened you some doors? Do you think it is the remix of Bodyrox?
> It was definitely the remix of Bodyrox which helped me but around 2007 i had a string of tracks which did really well and got a lot of attention. I believe the Roger Sanchez 'Lost' Remix was one of my most defining moments.
You’ve done also some tracks under devilish disguises such as The Lisa Marie Experience, Cordial, Finger Fest and Rambo. What about them? Are you still producing thing under these aliases or is it on hold?
> No these aliases are all old -)
After we gave this little introduction about the music to our readers, we wanted to get back to your origins. Could you please tell us in a few words, how did you become a DJ and producer? Is there any story behind it?
> It started really early for me when i was around 11 years of age in the early 80's and i got access to my first synth. Coming from Sheffield i was surrounded by amazing electronic music which was really inspiring. The DJing came later when i started to make house music and i saw all the adoration DJ's used to get. I wanted a piece of that!
As you come from U.K., could you please tell us if there are one or two English artists you would like to introduce us today?
> My friend and long term collaborator Kristoph is really coming into his own right now. I also really like a guy called Tom Flynn who's doing some amazing stuff.
I’ve read that you’ve changed your sound over the years and recently you change the studio where you have been producing for years. You were fed up with the too commercialized tracks you’ve heard. Why that? Do you feel a musical evolution was necessary to come back with fresher idea and renew your genre?
> Yes i always like to do something different and when people start to expect certain things of me i back away from that. Moving my studio actually created many problems for me and i couldn't get the sound i was getting in my previous place so i started to experiment with different sounds - here i am now.
Moreover Dean, what did you know about the French electronic music scene? Are there some artists that you know? You particularly love their works?
> I have always loved French house music starting from the obvious like Daft Punk, Alan Braxe, Kris Menace, Justice and all the artists on the Ed Bangor label. I have also been in love with Air for years.
Before we conclude this interview, is there anything you would like to add? (Open question)
> Check my website and forum at www.dramirez.com and http://www.dramirez.com/forums/ where you can upload tracks and get feedback as well as look at my tutorial video which are really quite good if i don't mind saying so myself -)
D. Ramirez, to conclude this interview, we have a few more questions to better know you. Sometimes one word is enough!
The song you advice us to listen in your discography?
> Check out 'Candlelight' by Cordial [one of his alias] for some old skool 1991 vibes. As D. Ramirez my favourite track is “La Discotek”
An artist you would like to work with, one day?
> Martin Gore from Depeche Mode
3 words to define your music?
> Dramatic, Sexy, AWESOME!
Are you using vinyl or mp3 for your mix?
> I use MP3 with Traktor
One word about France?
> Food
The software you use to produce?
> Logic Pro
Your best souvenir of this summer: a place where you played for instance or an anecdote?
> Going to Jerusalem
The best club in the U.K. (name and city)?
> Sankeys in Manchester
Your favorite track these days?
> “Downpipe” by Mark Knight, D. Ramirez and Underworld
Some words about our website Actualités Electroniques?
> It's AWESOME -)
D. Ramirez, thank you very much for the time you devoted to Actualités Electroniques and particularly for this interview. We will wait for sure for your next productions. We hope to see you soon in a club in France or abroad. See ya!
Dj Aroy
MORE INFO ABOUT D RAMIREZ
http://www.dramirez.co.uk
http://soundcloud.com/d-ramirez
http://twitter.com/dramirezmusic
http://www.myspace.com/dramirez
http://www.youtube.com/user/dramirezmusic
http://www.facebook.com/dramirezmusic
MORE INFO ABOUT TOOLROOM RECORDS
http://www.toolroomrecords.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/toolroomrecords
http://www.facebook.com/toolroomrecords
http://twitter.com/toolroomrecords
BONUS – KEEP US TOGETHER VIDEO