Mon, 23 Aug 2010 / Post a commentRay Okpara, the house music and his label. We were able to talk and discover what lies behind the long-haired boy of Mannheim. Has already product on several major labels in the scene as: Love, Oslo, Cecille, Soweso, Arearemote, is now on new projects and it’s cool and house live set.
We’re almost at the end of the year now, where have your adventures taken you so far?
Yoo, have been all over really. Started with Japan and some holidays in Thailand, then onto Costa Rica and some parties in Miami, as well as Mexico. Of course, been playing all over Europe too, lots in Germany and Italy but also in Spain and a few times in Ibiza.
Congratulations on forming your own label, AMA Recordings, what has inspired you to make this next step in your career?
Well, it’s acually more to have a own platform to release my music and the music I love, but also for new or older artist who make great music. Its like a second foot to stand on.
Has there been alot of hype surrounding the label’s first release? Can you fill us in with what to expect?
The hype is building up right now but many DJs are playing AMA001 already, like Paco Osuna, Matthias Kaden, Karotte, Tiefschwarz, DJ Sneak , Franck Roger, Luciano, Monika Kruse, Reboot. We actually sold out the first batch for this release, so it’s been great.
But I think first we release the EP, it’s called Special One EP, then we´ll see how the hype goes. What to expect , hmmm hard one. there are two solid, grooving, loopy tracks and a bomb remix from johnny d, which is my fav.
Can we look forward to some Ray Okpara bombs being dropped on the label in the coming months?
Yep of course but still working on this at the moment. I had another track out on Sascha Dive’s Deep Vibes label in June, called Ruled by The Tides EP, which is getting some hot feedback.
Which events are you most looking forward to playing at this summer and why?
Well I’ve had a great summer so far, Space Closing was fun and especially the 3 days at the Fusion Festival, which was cool as i got to see all my friends from berlin were i used to live. I was also in mexico and doing lots of travelling around Europe. I’m back in Ibiza to play some more at Space, which was rockin to my live set a couple of weeks back.
Where and when did you musical journey begin?
It must have been with michael jackson in the 80´s, but talking house, was more end of the 90’s when we discovered something else then just funk, soul, rap, hiphop. All of us (from Mannheim) getting happy together in a house club till sunrise . Also, a big part was Ibiza, after returning back from the isle 2000 we knew. we just knew! THAT’S WHEN IT STARTED.
Which artists did you look upto and respect in your early days?
Derrick carter was & is one of my fav artists. I guess i have all of his tracks and remixes , it’s a real shame Classic Music Company is no longer releasing!
We hear you have recently crossed over to the live set format during your sets, what do you feel this adds to the experience you bring to the dancefloor?
I just played yesterday in Cologne on the deepvibes showcase and before in space ibiza was my opening towards doing LIVE SETs. I’m still learning a lot, but its a great new experience and the feedback i’m getting is amazing.
The cool thing is with my live set, I am able to jam on my tunes and i just took mostly unreleased tracks too so it keeps it interesting for the crowd
Which 3 tracks never leave your side when you’re in the mix?
Well I can’t say because I always play a different set.
If could describe your sound in one sentence it would be…?
Don’t need a sentence, just one word: HOUSE
