Rocky Valente X Techno Interview

Hi Rocky & thanks for taking the time out to chat with us. Can you tell us about your music history, do you have formal training, maybe something many people don’t know about you?

Hello! It’s my pleasure. I grew up in a house full of music, but no one was a musician. I never studied music in any way, and I taught myself everything about DJing before there were Youtube tutorials. I need to confess it took me 2 years to get proper gear at home, so I was going out playing in clubs and wondering how to mix… my love for DJing got me through. I rehearsed in my mind and created combinations of music that sounded right in my head. But I did not grow up with electronic music… it was mostly traditional African music, salsa, and samba.

How did you get into the techno scene and what are your first memories of techno music?

My first techno memory goes back a long way because in some strange way my grandmother allowed me to go out with my cousin when I was only 13 (don’t ask me why). In the 90s a big techno movement in Lisbon was created by DJ Vibe and DJ Rui da Silva which was the Underground sound of Lisbon, forever associated for me with ‘So Get Up’… I’ll never forget that track. Life then took me a totally different way and I didn’t go out a lot as a teen, but when I was 24 I found a community of gay friends and gay Clubs where I felt free to have fun and dance with nothing else to think about. It was there I fell In love with DJing but even there I spent many years playing open format until I felt comfortable playing what I really really love.

Where do you see the techno scene in 10 years? And how do you see yourself in 10 years within the scene?

I believe we live in cycles. I feel techno today sounds a lot like 90s techno, and I confess I enjoy listening to some music and influential artists from each time period, but you can’t let that affect your creativity. I feel the rise of live artists and other cool future acts are creating new approaches to the techno scene. For myself… I will be playing even more in the next 10 years and eventually when I am 80 I will still be there on the stage full of dreams. That is my vision.

Where do you most enjoying playing? Crowdy festival places or more intimate clubs?

Do I need to choose? Ok, I will say festivals because of the number of people you can reach. Moving a festival crowd can be easier (even if scarier) than an Intimate party. But on the other hand, I love to have an almost physical connection with my fans, so I love intimate parties a lot too. In the end, I love to play even if I’m in my studio alone or doing a live stream from my socials.

Do you prefer to play live/Dj or is it all about music production?

I need to say DJing. DJing was my first love. But I have to say production is taking up more and more room in my heart. The more success I have with my tracks, the more I want to do.
But I believe I will never stop DJing.

Tell us the proudest moment in your career to date?

My first EP as Rocky Valente, ‘Rebirth’ because of what it means to me, because it brought me together with some of my music heroes, because of the people who are in my team and believed in me. Because for years I was scared to take a risk. I’m not anymore.
Also because of the tour arising from the EP. I’ve given my heart and soul to this and I’m just enjoying success now.

What music/genres do you listen to when you’re at home?

You will laugh. I listen to Celtic music… relaxing music, and salsa or Brasilian music or even Arabic music for my belly dancing. Not what you expect from a techno DJ but I love it.

Do you have any does or don’ts regarding tips for upcoming talents?

Yes… learn how to DJ and go out into the world and DJ before you produce. You can produce perfect tracks but r music needs to have a soul, and for that, you need to see people reacting to your sound and composition. Ask for the help of people who know better than you, watch how they produce. For a long time, I had a vision but I could not do it alone so I asked for help. I believe that is so important.

Do you have any new productions/collaborations projects on the horizon?

My release ‘The Revolution’ with a remix from Mark Reeve is out now on ELEVATE. I will continue to have exciting releases on my favorite labels and keep growing my radio show, Rocky Valente in Session, which is very successful on all the stations where it’s syndicated worldwide. We now always share online first on Mixcloud Select.

Rocky Valente ‘The Revolution’ is Out Now on ELEVATE.

Get it here: https://www.beatport.com/release/the-revolution-ep/2865037

Connect with Rocky Valente

• facebook.com/rockyvalentemusic
• instagram.com/rockyvalentemusic
• soundcloud.com/rockyvalentemusic