RawW is a Spanish artist who recently made a debut release via his own label District 47. His style is an interesting blend that sits somewhere between deep techno and melodic house, and we were captivated by his sound. We decided to invite him for this interview so we could learn more about his background in music…
> For the people reading this who have not heard your music before, how would you describe your style and the key elements that define it?
I define my musical style as melodic, but I always use sounds influenced by techno. I like to create an immersive atmosphere with very characteristic synths that give personality to my tracks. I’m always looking for sounds that captivate people’s imagination with their elegance. For me, it’s better to have a stripped back sound with only one main melody.
> Your most recent release is on District 47 Records, could you tell us about the concept of the release?
The concept is very simple, ‘the beginning’ is the beginning of everything, as it’s my first ever release under the name RawW. I wanted to make a strong track, and I tried to make the rhythms feel like the hands of a clock moving, as this is the start of my future, and the moment when I launch all my music career. The second single is called ‘If You Want’, and it’s a vocal track with a distinctive male singing style, and old school synths give the track a timeless sound.
> Could you talk us through the creative process of putting a track together, and list any specific equipment used to bring your sound to life?
For me, the creative production process is always a very natural one. I’m always very clear on the sound I want to achieve, but not scared to experiment with different elements. I start with some percussion rhythms, then I create the basslines. After I’m happy with the foundation of the groove, then I start adding melodies, vocals and textured sounds such as synth pads or ambient effects. I work with Ableton and some synthesisers including ones by Waldorf, Sequential and Moog. I also use some virtual and analogue rhythm machines such as Native Instruments’ Maschine or Roland’s TR9.
> Can you tell us about more about District 47 Records, as I’d love to know more about your relationship with the label?
Disctrict 47 is my own record label, and it’s an idea born from wanting to create a platform where I don’t have to depend upon anyone else to release my music. Especially the big labels that hardly ever sign new artists because they are very focused on things like social media numbers. It’s sad that part of the scene is a business that gives more value to Instagram followers and selfies from the afterparty than the music itself. My idea is to try to get away from all that, both as an electronic label, and as a promoter of events at a national and international level. Setting up and running a project like this is something that excites me, and it’s also a lot of fun.
> Who are some of the artists and DJs that inspire you?
There have been many artists that inspired me throughout my life, it’s hard to name them all, but Maceo Plex is someone I admire a lot, and he certainly influenced my own sound. I also like Raxon and Fred Lenix who produce a dark and strong style. Those are some modern examples, but there are also classic guys like Timo Maas, and bands like Depeche Mode. Depeche Mode for example were a big inspiration behind the vocals in my track ‘If You Want’, as I love that style of singing.
> What is coming up next in your music schedule, do you have any other releases in the pipeline?
Currently, I have another two singles scheduled for next month, and those will of course be released on District 47. Although I’m hesitant to work with other labels, there are a select few that I do send music to, as I really like how they operate. I have saved several tracks which I’m in discussions about, but I can’t say any more than that at the moment, and District 47 is still my main focus. If we talk about my gigs, then on March 31st I will be in Barcelona playing live, and I have more Spain events coming throughout the year in Madrid and some other cities.
> Could you give some advice or words of wisdom to any aspiring producers who might look to your music for inspiration?
A tip that has always worked well for me, is don’t look for inspiration by trying to copy others. It’s better to make music that comes from inside you, as although you might like elements of someone else’s sound, try to use those elements in new, innovative ways. Also, don’t force yourself to try and be creative on a day when you aren’t inspired, as it will always lead you to mental failure, and that’s the worst thing.
> Thanks for taking the time to speak with us today, we like to finish our interviews with a couple of questions that are a little bit light-hearted… without getting too personal, could you tell us something many don’t know about you?
A curious detail about me, is that I spend 50% of my time in cities, but I really don’t like them. So, currently I live in a town with approximately 600 inhabitants. It’s near a city, and that stops me from feeling isolated, but I live without stress, as it’s such a small town.
> You don’t need to mention names, but what’s the most “outrageous” thing you’ve ever seen happen in a club… was it something outrageously brilliant, like a blindfolded DJ mixing seamlessly and scratching with their elbows, or something outrageously cringe-worthy, like some embarrassing drunk person urinating on the dance floor?
It’s always brilliant when you see an artist able to unite everyone in one room, and makes the dance floor feel as one. I prefer to keep the embarrassing moments to myself, as although I’ve seen some things that made me cringe. These days, people seem to do anything for attention, even if it means making a fool of themselves on purpose, so I like to avoid those topics, as you can go on Instagram to easily find those kinds of things.
> Thanks for taking the time to speak with us, is there anything extra you want to add before we wrap up the conversation?
Thank you so much for the talk, I’m very grateful to express myself not only with music but also with the chance to talk. This industry has become very complicated, and I’m grateful to everyone who is interested in my sound. Thanks to everyone who is reading this, and I hope you enjoy my music.
> You can buy RawW’s tracks on District 47 Records from HERE
