Riton

We Love... Sundays @ Space, Get Physical, Souvenir, Dialect

2007.09.12 ::: Words by Andrew Reid

Riton - pronounced ‘Reeton’ - the French street term for Henry - is Henry Smithson.

Riton signed to label ‘Grand Central’ in 2000 (The first non hip-hop act to sign to the label) with release ‘Communicated’. His debut long-player “Beats Du Jour” followed in 2001 – a downbeat electronica album, hailed by luminaries including Laurent Garnier, Trevor Jackson, Richard Dorfmeister and Ewan Pearson, and hugely supported by UK magazines NME and The Face.

In 2004 Riton released his follow-up album ‘Homies and Homos’ a ‘rock meets rave in a basement’ electronic album, featuring the vocals of Lee Jones (Howdi), Luca Santucci (Playgroup) and Ben Rymer (Fat Truckers). Singles from the genius album include ‘Shitehawk’, a cover of The Cure’s ‘Killing the Arab’ and ‘Homeless’ featuring Ben Fat Trucker - Trucker also being Riton’s partner in his ‘Gucci Soundsystem’ outfit…

Collectively, Gucci Soundsystem’s ‘tough electro, acid house, bits of rock and digital ragga’ sound epitomizes that of East London… Their first release ‘Acarpenter’ was released in 2006 on Bugged Out Recordings which DFA then picked up and added a remix from Joakim.

Riton has also released on Berlin based label Get Physical (‘Vejer’ and ‘To the Gum’ produced with Heidi), Tiefschwarz’s Souvenir imprint (‘Hammer of Thor’ released Feb 2007) and Parisian label Dialect recordings. He has remixed releases on labels Klein, Klang, Obliq Sound, F-Com, Four Music, 679 and has remixed artists including Human League, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Simian Mobile Disco, Annie, Mystery Jets, Mylo, Run DMC, Para One, Tiefschwarz and his recent remix for The Aliens scored an Essential New Tune and gained widespread radio support.

Riton on his DJing: “I’ve always played bit of everything over the years, but the fact is I do get exited by a new sound or new styles - so I think I’ll always be evolving style wise, that’s what keeps it interesting for me. But, the fact is the 'disco' beat will always reign supreme on the dancefloor, I think, no matter how it’s dressed up.”

As a DJ, Riton regularly plays venues including Fabric, The End and Sankeys (including being a regular face on the Bugged Out circuit) in the UK, Panorama Bar and Weekend in Berlin, The Rex and Triptyque in Paris, Belgium, We Love at Space (2007 resident)in Ibiza and more.

Riton now: “I’m very shallow and only find new things exciting; I get sick of 'a sound' as soon as I've heard more than 10 records like it.”

Riton has just finished his third album ‘Eine Kleine Nacht Musik', which sees another twist in his musical direction. Stepping sideways of today’s electronic sounds, his new album takes in the sounds of the Kosmische ‘Krautrock -floaty hippy trance’ world of 1970's Germany…

And – after playing the club for the first time last summer - Riton also mixed ‘We Love… Space Ibiza’s’ first ever compilation ‘We Love… Ibiza’ alongside Serge Santiago; Santiago representing the Terrace of Space, whilst Riton representing inside.

Nocturnal: How did you first come in contact with electronic music? Was there a pinnacle moment that made you realize you HAD to do this for a career?
Riton: When I was really young I knew I wanted to be involved in music.... At first I wanted to own a record shop, then be a DJ and promote parties... Pretty soon after getting decks I wanted to start making it (music)... I'm motivated by getting some new piece of gear and pushing it as far as I can... Then I run out and get something else to play with.

Nocturnal: As electro continues to fade out, a lot of buzz is on all things minimal. Do you feel that the minimal sound is poised to be the next big thing in electronic music?
Riton: I thought that happened last year? I'm over it... There were a few good records in the genre but it’s totally formulaic now.

Nocturnal: You're one of the residents for We Love... Sundays @ Space in Ibiza. How's the 2007 campaign be going?
Riton: Great, record sales are really good I'm over the moon for the lp and all the shows have been amazing... I've got another three gigs in September to look forward to.

Nocturnal: Further to that, your latest mix CD, We Love... Space, is the first mix comp ever from this historic party brand. Was it an honour to be chosen to do the mix? What should people expect when they pick it up?
Riton: I went for some tunes that hopefully will last the duration... I avoided going for this summers big hits... I just went through my record bag and pulled out my favourites.

Nocturnal: You also recently finished off your third artist album, ‘Eine Kleine Nacht Musik', which shows another side of your musical tastes. How did this album come about? Why the twist from your more noted sound?
Riton: I needed a break from the rave... Its been electro o'clock for about 5 years continuously so I wanted to make a more mellow record that's a bit more timeless.

Nocturnal: What other releases and/or remixes should we be expecting from you in the near future?
Riton: I've just done a remix for LCD Soundsystem as Gucci Soundsyem and I'm working on a new Young Pony Club mix right now – as well as the remixes for The Aliens, etc (check my myspace for those – www.myspace.com/ritonrerub.

Nocturnal: What's your current studio set-up? Are you strictly software, or does hardware still play a role in your productions?
Riton: I've got a rad studio - I've been building it up from my DJ wages for ten years now... I'm pretty much all hardware but all my editing is done in the computer.

Nocturnal: In your opinion what other producers out there are really pushing boundaries or making a big impact on our scene?
Riton: Soulwax are untouchable sonically the take the piss out of all those Ableton blog fools!

Nocturnal: As have most, you're hooked up on MySpace. How have you utilized that community to further your reach? Have you stumbled across any old faces you had lost touch with?
Riton: I try to keep on top of it but I don't really have time to get crazy on pimping it... I'd prefer to spend time creating something real.

Nocturnal: Lastly here are some quick shots:
Nocturnal: What's more likely... vinyl making a comeback or a non-trance DJ being rated #1 in the DJ Mag poll?
Riton: A non trance DJ winning- they will call it something else but we know it’s the same idiots making and dancing to it.
Nocturnal: Favourite travel destination for vacation?
Riton: My mum’s in Spain.
Nocturnal: Favourite travel destination for performing?
Riton: Ibiza.
Nocturnal: Favourite venue in the world?
Riton: The Barbican Indoor Tropical Garden.
Nocturnal: Most indispensable item you travel with?
Riton: Laptop.
Nocturnal: Most indispensable piece of studio kit?
Riton: Roland space echo.
Nocturnal: If you weren't a DJ, you'd be a...
Riton: Gardener (uphill?).

::: Related Links

::: www.myspace.com/ritonrerub

::: www.myspace.com/ritontime

::: Space Ibiza Club Listings