Name: Ratier

Nationality: Brazilian
Occupation: DJ, producer, booker-organiser
Current release: Ratier's Diving EP is out via D-edge.

If you enjoyed this Ratier interview and would like to stay up to date with his music, visit him on Instagram, Facebook, and Soundcloud.



Do you think that some of your earliest musical experiences planted a seed for your interest in DJing, booking, and production?

I think so! I believe that everything I have heard and experienced in music has contributed and continues to contribute to my musical background and expression in music

I think I was drawn into house music by was my passion for disco and soul - and associated with that my passion for dance music!!

What were some of the most impressive events or releases which shaped your views of techno and DJing, would you say?

For sure, my first time in Ibiza and seeing Carl Cox play in NY in 1993. It was incredible.

[Read our Carl Cox interview]

Dance, for me, is above all an expression of freedom. The connection with music and dance is an incredible union!!

Tell me about one or two of your early tracks that you’re still proud of (or satisfied with) in terms of production – and why you’re content with them.

I like the Soul Machine EP. I think it reflects my influences.



Also, the “Terça Feira” remix for Cesare vs Disorder shows my current moment!!



Techno happened at a very particular time in American and later European history. What do you think is it that Brazilian audiences are seeing and hearing in it?

I think that Techno is at a moment where it is split into different paths and the public has the freedom to choose what pleases their ears the most.

I think that in Brazil there is an audience consuming different aspects!! There are several identities within various genres in electronic music. Brazil has several influences, it is a continental country and we see several influences in different segments of electronic music!!

Are you personally interested in the fusion of Western/Northern and Eastern/Southern influences in music?

The language of electronic music is universal. But I think it's cool to have inspirations from local and regional cultures!!

Tell me about the Brazilian house and techno scene, when you began as an event organiser, DJ, and producer. How has it changed since then?

I started holding events in 1996. I had started to get interested in 1986 and buying records. I almost became a DJ at that time, but it ended up not happening right away.

I had a friend and we were learning together. But we were very young and he was on a path with the drugs which scared me. I ended up stopping and going forward again.

Finally, in 1996, I resumed, this time really dedicating my time to the turntables and doing events!! The D-Edge club was created at the end of 1998 and we set it up with great care. At the time it was a huge milestone in Brazil.

You recently opened the Surreal Park. What do people want out of the club experience, today?

Surreal Park is a club which gives visitors the Festival experience.

It has 135,000 m2 and will soon have 6 sound floors,  each with a unique concept and atmosphere. It really is an incredible experience, a place immersed in nature and with freedom.

I believe that today, Surreal is a unique experience in club culture!!

How and for what reasons has your music set-up evolved over the years and what are currently some of the most important pieces of gear and software for you?

Unfortunately, the studio is temporarily deactivated. I tend to use the Toraiz Sp-16 a lot to create beats and some samples. For bassline, toraiz as-1 and moog minitaur. These two are very impressive. The DAW I use is Ableton live 10.

I have several other pieces of equipment, such as the Roland 808 and 909. I intend to use them a lot more in the future.

From the earliest sketches to the finished piece, tell me about the production process for your current release, please.

I have an intense routine, full of pills and trips.

I have ideas and I always start on the computer. During the breaks, I finish, including the drum machine and synths, mainly for the bassline.

Late producer SOPHIE said: “You have the possibility with electronic music to generate any texture, and any sound. So why would any musician want to limit themselves?” What’s your take on that?

I think this says a lot about what inspires me: The freedom to create whatever you imagine through software is magical.