We handed the keys to Ricky to unlock his start as an artist, hosting the first ever skydiving music festival and how he plans to grow in the scene.
What inspired you to enter the music space?
I was inspired to enter the music space ever since I was a child. My Grandpa would whistle and sing all day, everyday, and I think genetically it was passed down to me because although I would only visit him in Mexico two or three times a year, I too am constantly singing and whistling. My Mom is also a great singer, but she only shows it off on the rare occasion at family parties. Due to their talents I believe I have a genetic predisposition that led me into the music space. If you were to enter my head you would see I am constantly grooving in my mind, that is why I am able to beatbox and freestyle so easily.
In High School I played bass in a band. We would play covers of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, Pepper and all sorts of Reggae Ska Punk Rock. When I went to College in Santa Barbara, I joined a new band where I was the bassist and lead singer. After graduation the band split, so I just took on the guitar and started playing solo by myself in my room and I thought that was the end of me playing music for crowds – Until I met my now friend and business partner Abraham who introduced me to House music.
I grew to love House and the groovy chill beats that can resonate with any genre. When I began to DJ I always liked to mix music that is very instrument oriented and not too electronic. I like to mix songs that have guitar and bongos, flutes and brass instruments so it feels like I am still in a band, but now as the composer.
Talk us through your production process?
I produce just as if I am in a band. I lay down the bass line, add the melody, chords, drums, nice synths and pianos. Then I'll have a friend play the guitar over it, or have a friend sing or rap over it, and it makes for such great music. I am super into collaborating and making the songs sound as original as possible.
What brought you to San Diego?
I am originally from San Diego, but I left for college to Santa Barbara and that is where I began to DJ and started my festival production company, Festvibes. With Festvibes, we would host a lot of events in Santa Barbara, taking over the biggest club and turning it into a three story mini festival, which was amazing. However, I knew I had to come back to San Diego because it was bigger, and had more opportunities and bigger crowds.
With so many newly opened venues and recently started events, the San Diego dance scene is growing rapidly. What are your observations/thoughts on the scene and community here?
I am truly loving all the new venues and events happening in San Diego, especially in the House scene. I remember being in San Diego and everywhere was only playing Top 40 Hip-Hop and concerts were only in arenas.. Now there is House music everywhere and events being held in all sorts of amazing places really highlighting the beauty of this city. I love San Diego so much and so many people are realizing that it is the best city in the world. Since some of the best acts from all over the world are now coming, it’s amazing that us locals are able to open up for them.
You're the founder of event collective Official Fest Vibes and Skyfest Music Festival, and are involved with Hood Politics (did we miss anything?) Tell us about that?
Yes, I am one of the Founders of FestVibes and Skyfest as well as on the Hood Politics Record Label. All of these roles go together perfectly. FestVibes is a festival production company and soon to be record label and we facilitate great events. We have done over 100 events since we began in 2016 and our latest one is Skyfest. Skyfest is a Skydiving, Art and Music Festival. It’s everything you would expect from a music festival, but attendees have the opportunity to skydive while attending the event. It’s is a one of a kind festival, which we pride ourselves on for being original. DJ SUSAN, who is the Hood Politics Founder, actually headlined the first Skyfest we threw back in 2020. After that, DJ SUSAN with Hood Politics, myself and FestVibes became really close, we would help them with our top notch production on their events.
What has been your favorite venue to play in San Diego?
My favorite venue to play was at Kosmic Gardenz, which was a festival we threw in April at a ranch in Jamul that overlooked all of San Diego. We had Higher Nine production make us the most amazing stage and we also had Burning Man Art Cars and a Sky Deck stage. It was a three day festival, about 350 people attended and it was incredible.
As for clubs, Bloom nightclub is my favorite place to play. They have amazing sound in there, they really upgraded the venue from when it used to be Bassmnt.
When you're going out dancing in San Diego on a night off from producing/ DJing, where will we find you?
Honestly, there really isn't a weekend I have off from Producing or Djing. If I'm not playing a show at a club or festival, we set up a silent disco on the beach in front of Water Bar in Pacific Beach. We have about 200 headsets and as soon as the clubs close, we are the after party! It is really amazing, we set up a pink fur arch and everyone dances right on the shore line. Quite the site and always a great time.
Who are your 'ones to watch' from the San Diego scene?
Wow there are so many ones to watch in San Diego, obviously DJ SUSAN and the entire Hood Politics crew they are crushing it. My really good friend’s Maximo and Burko are crushing it. I live with some legends who I have to mention, Parq resident DJ, Schmidt Happens, and Baker who is up and coming from San Francisco. Obviously the entire FestVibes krew should be on everyones radar, Moonlight, Branthedon and Nandito. All great DJs and producers.
What are your future plans, and what should we look out for from you?
My future plans are to travel the world, DJing in as many countries as possible and have an annual festival in San Diego that I come back to. I would like to see FestVibes be a household name in terms of festivals, music and ecommerce. After our Skyfest festival I’m diving back into the studio to polish a couple tracks we made after Kosmic. I’ll release those and then make more bangers! I want to help people all over the world enjoy their life more and spread positive messages of self love, caring and joy.
If you could play anywhere, at any venue in the world tonight, where would it be?
If I could play anywhere in the world right now it would be at some crazy arena in Brazil with my boys Breaking Beattz. We just had them over in San Diego and they played at the glider port, which was epic. I've been seeing where they are playing and it looks incredible. Brazilian Tech house is really taking over and I want to be a part of it.
In what ways can the San Diego dance community support you or collaborate with you?
The San Diego Community can support me by following @festvibes.io on instagram and attending our festivals and events!
Lastly, what’s a track you want to share?
You can keep up with DJ Sunset:
On Instagram
Kommentare