Richie Blacker is a DJ and producer forged in the underground Irish club and rave scene who has ushered in the most exciting new sound in years. Creating something modern but giving a nod reminiscent of the 90’s rave scene. A collision of early 90’s house, techno and rave records merged to create an elusive and original sound of their own. The 90’s rave culture and the DIY spirit of the acid house scene have always had a huge influence on Richie and his music from a very young age. “Rave music culture is in my blood.”
Richie has broken into 2021 with releases like Nothing Else Matters, Anjunabeats, Of Unsound Mind, as well as garnering support from BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong and Danny Howard, cumulatively leading to his signing to Atlantic Records in late 2021. With Coming from the likes of Sasha, John Digweed, Adam Beyer and with numerous Radio 1 works under his belt, he’s a new rising star on the electronic dance scene and has already secured some massive releases for 2021.
Richie Blacker, just signed to Atlantic after a breakneck year, launches straight into 2022 with the hypnotic original ‘Space Cadet’ and vinyl release on Scotland’s Limbo Records. Creating something modern but giving a nod reminiscent of the 90’s rave scene. ‘Space Cadet’ revels in the melodic house, techno and early 90’s rave sound. Featuring releases from the likes of Of Unsound Mind, Anjunabeats & Nothing Else Matters under his belt and having received BBC Radio 1’s Future Fire Artist of the Year award, Richie Blacker is someone to watch.
We have had the pleasure of speaking with him and this has been the result.
Hi there ! Where can we find you right now? How did you start your day?
Hey! I am currently sitting in my new studio in Belfast City Center!
Started my day off at 6am at the gym and now sitting in my studio at 8am drinking coffee and sorting emails before getting stuck into some music!
When did the idea of starting a project start to take shape? Has it always been something you wanted to do?
This new vinyl project with limbo records came about after I messaged my favourite artist “RYCA” to tell him his art inspired my music and I named my new track after once of his “Space Cadet” art pieces! He loved the track and offered to design the cover art for the limited edition yellow vinyl release. The rest is history. It gets released the first week of February.
How would you define the sound of your latest work? What is the concept behind?
My music is very 90s rave, acid house orientated with a bit of breakbeat, euphoric 90s trance threw in there as well! There wasn’t really a concept behind this new release as such. It’s just a collection of different sounds I enjoy on the one EP.
What artists are you interested in these days?
Im a big fan a Bicep, MOY, Ejeca / Trance Wax and Sasha!
How do you manage to combine such disparate genres? How do you manage to give them unity and harmony? What do they have in common for you?
I grew up listening to acid house, 90s rave and euphoric trance. So my sound definitely comes from a mash up of all 3 genres! I only make what interests me. So I like to stuck to the sort of sounds that inspired me growing up!
Can you tell us something about your current or future projects?
I have this new limited edition vinyl project with Limbo Records due for release the first week in February. Also working on my first mix compilation with a big record label. Can’t announce who the label is just yet. Also have lots of new music to release as well as a collaboration with Skream!
