Riback rocks the EDM world
JEWISH music producer, songwriter, artist and DJ Ryan Riback has enjoyed a recent popularity explosion with his remix of Starley’s 'Call On Me'.
JEWISH music producer, songwriter, artist and DJ Ryan Riback, who describes his attitude to music as “aggressive yet contagious”, has enjoyed a recent popularity explosion with his remix of Starley’s Call On Me, hitting number eight on the ARIA charts in Australia and topping the official Swedish Singles chart in December last year.
In addition, it reached the top 10 in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and the UK. It’s now a platinum ARIA track, but Riback isn’t resting on his laurels just yet.
“I’m working on a lot of original music right now, and I have remixes still to come out for Julia Michaels, Andy Grammer, LANY and R3hab,” Riback told The AJN. “That’s in addition to the remixes I have out now for Maroon 5, Fifth Harmony, Fergie and Terror Jr.”
He’s been described as “the freshest electro house producer to emerge from South Africa” with “beats that break and bass lines that blow your mind”, and he says he always knew that being a musician was his calling.
“Deep down, I’ve always loved music,” Riback said, adding that he would be happy with a career as a DJ or a music producer. Although he has been making music for years, he’s currently experimenting with sub-genres of electronic dance music (EDM) – a fusion of tropical house, pop, trap and future bass.
“My best career moment was hearing that we went to the top 10 in so many countries with Call On Me,” Riback said. “I honestly am [surprised]. I really liked the record but I had no idea it would do what is has so far. It’s awesome.”
Riback explained that he doesn’t model himself after any specific musicians, preferring to enjoy particular songs rather than devoting himself to one particular artist.
“At the moment though, I’m really enjoying the Chainsmokers, Kygo, DJ Snake, Major Lazer, Skrillex and many more. My favourite songs at the moment are Wasted On You by Louis Futon, Rozes and Away From Me by China.”
Riback has been DJing since 1997, but said his most memorable moment was at Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, because “playing to 10,000 screaming people really makes the hairs on your neck stand up”.
Born in Johannesburg but based in Australia, Riback’s music has led him to international fame, including the opportunity to headline a show at G+ in China, which he says has been his favourite city to play in.
“The crowd was insane, the club was huge and the lighting and sound were next level,” he says of the Shanghai nightspot. He has also been invited to play Johannesburg super-clubs Truth and Sutra, and used to play regularly at clubs such as Tempos and Stonewater in South Africa.
And with plenty more music slated for release this year, it seems inevitable that Riback will continue to rock the world with his musical madness.
Listen to Riback’s latest tracks on Spotify at http://sptfy.com/W2p.
YAEL BRENDER
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