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.
Can you tell us a little about your experience? Where are you from / how did you get into music? Was it all internet based? I’m A DJ / Producer from Belfast in Ireland. I got into electronic music through my older brothers at a young age. My music career started long before the internet. I started out running my own illegal raves in old art galleries, small abandoned warehouses & skateparks. Later on I then landed a few residences around Belfast. But now days like many others I have to rely on the internet to promote my music through my social media platforms!Who have been your main inspirations (both musical and in «life»)? And how have they affected your sound?Answer: growing up in Belfast I always looked up to my brothers as they got me into music! I always wanted to grow up like them and go to raves! My music influences growing up where Daft Punk, Andrew Weatherall, Orbital & 808 State. They still are big influences to me to this day!How would you define your sound?My music is very 90s rave, acid house orientated with a bit of breakbeat, euphoric 90s trance threw in there as well!!
How has your sound evolved so far?My sound has evolved from growing up listening to rave, acid house and 90s trance! I still stem back to them sounds and artists when looking for inspiration when writing new music!What can you tell us about your last job? What inspired you? What do you want to conveyI left my day job to do music full time at the end of last year! I was a plumber and I was giving all my energy everyday to a job I hated! But I’m glad that’s behind now and I can focus all my attention and energy into my music!How are you living the current situation because of COVID? Has your work affected you a lot? Do you think there is hope? I feel like the underground scene will continue to persist.I’m currently living back in Belfast. I was living in Ibiza before the pandemic hit. Like everyone else Covid took all our gigs away. We couldn’t rave and we couldn’t DJ. So that forced me to make more music than I had everyone before. It worked in my favour tho as I was able to put a lot of new music out in 2021. But it’s good to see the gigs coming back again slowly but surely.The underground dance scene will always thrive!What projects are you working on right now?I have a 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!
