Decoded Magazine presents Victor Ruiz

With his deeply resonant appreciation for music, Victor Ruiz has firmly established himself as a dynamic selector. Born in Brazil and currently based in Lisbon, he has been a constant presence on the world stage since 2013 and is widely regarded for his mesmerizing DJ performances, appearing at a long list of influential events.

In the studio he is equally adept, releasing a steady flow of first-rate techno productions all of which encapsulate his distinct flair for musicality and energy. Victor is also the founder of Volta Records, his fledgling imprint, which is already picking up widespread support from many of techno’s most prominent figures. Hard working, innately talented and driven by his deep-rooted passion, Victor Ruiz is the product of a lifetime dedicated to music. From his brother’s love for heavy metal to being gifted a bass guitar at the age of nine, Victor’s musical roots go deep. In his late teens he quit formal education to study electronic music production when he reached university. Numerous influences shaped his early vision (Daft Punk, MTV, Fruity Loops…) and equipped him with the skills to progress, leading to his first DJ gigs. Without decks at home to practice on, the ambitious selector learned to DJ ‘in-the-field’ at clubs, gaining real-world experience from the get go and refining his craft in often very challenging situations.

Victor’s profile in Brazil exploded when he produced a big hit and his upwards trajectory really began to kick in. By 2009 his success led to bookings at many of the country’s biggest festivals, including Lollapalooza Brazil, Tribaltech, Tribe Festival, XXXperience Festival and Kaballah Festival with regular gigs at venues like Clash Club. Through these appearances he connected with numerous international selectors and started getting his music out to a wider audience. Early supporters included Stephan Bodzin and Hernan Cattaneo.

In 2013 his first European trip came through; a two-week tour including shows in Germany and Norway. This pivotal booking changed the course of his life, opening his eyes to Europe’s progressive club culture. Over the next five years his international profile boomed and he started picking up more bookings in Europe than he was in Brazil. A move to Berlin in 2018 was the next logical step, followed by a period in Amsterdam, back to Berlin and finally Lisbon. The Portuguese capital has provided a nourishing environment for Victor to settle and enjoy warmer climes, great for mood, creativity and relaxation. Key ingredients for any artist who tours on a regular basis.

We caught up with Victor Ruiz as part of our 10 year celebration at Decoded Magazine with an extra tasty exclusive mix.

You’ve had an incredible career in the techno scene since 2013. How would you summarise your journey so far, from Brazil to your current base in Lisbon?

Oh, man! That’s a long one. I actually started to make Techno in 2009, so it goes even further back. I guess being consistent was something I always aimed to achieve. I don’t feel that I’ve had any “big breaks” but many, many consistent steps, releases and shows.

I started touring Europe in 2013 and that one trip changed my life and how I perceived Techno. After that I came back to a very successful tour in 2014, where I played Fusion Festival, a very important show in my career. The following years I continued touring Europe and the world until 2018 when I moved to Berlin and things really started to gain traction.

I moved to Amsterdam in 2019 then 2020 back to Berlin and 2022 moved to Lisbon – which was the best decision I ever made. Meanwhile I had many releases on the biggest techno labels and even started my own imprint, VOLTA. And also played amazing festivals like Tomorrowland, Awakenings, Time Warp, Baum Festival, Lollapalooza to name a few. It’s been a crazy ride and right now I’m enjoying making different stuff besides techno, so let’s see where this takes me.

As someone who learned to DJ ‘in-the-field,’ what were some of the most challenging environments you encountered while honing your craft?

Myself. My ego. Always being divided to play to the crowd and to please other artists. Failing many times till I got the gist of what works for me as a DJ. Reading a crowd is so important, that’s why it’s necessary to be humble and have different experiences as a DJ, warming up or closing a night. Many newcomers oversee these practices and they are pivotal for being a successful performer.

Your music combines various influences. Can you talk about how your diverse musical background, including heavy metal and electronic music, shapes your sound today?

When I go to the studio I don’t think about what I’ll do. Instead, I let the song tell me what it wants to become. Having written and recorded Rock and Metal songs in the past, it gives me a different, more open approach to production. I don’t like norms. When I follow formulas the result is very mediocre for my standards. The best songs I’ve made was just me in the studio having fun, not caring about the result.

With the rise of “TikTok techno” and social media influencing the music scene, what are your thoughts on the impact of these platforms on emerging artists and their connection with live performances?

It was a tough pill to swallow when I realized that what I’ve been making for a decade was not so relevant anymore for today’s audience, and the sound that is very popular is this more EDM-ish Techno and very fast. These platforms are very, very strong and they’ve changed the whole world, not just the Techno scene. I guess it’s the present and the future and we all have to come to terms with it. The younger generation is more savvy with these platforms and I think it’s great. 

In the end I still believe that music will have the final word. Maybe I’m just a romantic.

Touring can be both exciting and exhausting. What kind of regime do you follow to maintain your sanity and health while on the road?

I literally almost had a burnout a week ago, so I decided that I had to change the way I tour. I was just going full on and my body and mind said STOP! 

I’ve been even thinking that maybe the tour life isn’t for me in the long run. I want to have some sort of normal life, with my partner, I want to have my own family, kids and all of that. It’s very conflicting, man. Fucked up my mind a bit. I love making music, love playing it, but at the moment I feel a bit lost and very tired. I’m taking 3 weekends off and I can’t wait for that.

Also, following up a bit from the previous question, I feel very misplaced in the Techno scene right now, so not even that is bringing me a lot of joy. It’s been tough. But, hey, life is like that: ups and downs. I’m focusing on hanging out with the beautiful people I have around me and making music from my heart.

In the studio, what is your creative process like? Can you share your most accomplished track up to this point and what makes it special for you?

Like I said before, I try to have zero expectations. Sometimes I listen to some reference songs to inspire me, sometimes it can be a preset from a synth that unravels a whole universe in my mind and the track just happens. Sometimes is just repetition until something pops.

I guess the most accomplished was my remix of ‘1998’, from Binary Finary. I didn’t have the parts so I had to recreate all the sounds from scratch. I also sampled some parts from the original using AI tools and for the break, when the track slows down, I had to make a second project on Logic just for that, then export it to the main project of the remix. It took me like a month to finish it, but I made it!

You’ve performed at some of the world’s biggest festivals. Do you have a favourite country or a memorable touring moment that stands out?

It has to be Fusion Festival 2014 in Germany and Boom Festival 2023 in Portugal. Fusion was my “big break” in Germany. It was a last-minute show that I was booked for at a prime time at the iconic Turmbühne – the main stage. To this day, it is my most played recorded set on my Soundcloud. Boom was a dream coming true and probably my favourite festival on the planet. Since I was a kid, producing psytrance in my bedroom back at my mom’s place I dreamt about playing there. It was so much more than I ever thought. The connection of people and music is just so beautiful and pure.

You launched the Victor Ruiz Masterclass during the pandemic. What motivated you to create this program, and what have you learned from working with aspiring DJs and producers?

To be real I started it because I had no job LOL. Jokes aside, I always wanted to share my process of making music and to help new producers to improve their craft. I got so much help throughout the years from other producers, so since I had so much time, I wrote, recorded, edited and did subtitles all by myself and my management helped me structure the website and the platform to sell it. It connected me with so many amazing people, because I was also doing one on one mentorship sessions. That was kinda the embryo of my label VOLTA.

Could you describe your studio setup? What is your favourite piece of equipment or plugin that you find essential to your production process?

Mostly I used my MacBook Pro and my headphones Sennheiser HD 25, since I produce a lot on the road. In Lisbon I do have a studio with some really cool gear which I unfortunately don’t use as much as I should. Among them, my favourite is the Access Virus TI2 Polar. It’s just such a complete synth and I love every bit of it.

With your fledgling label, Volta Records, what are your goals going forward, and how do you envision it supporting the music community?

I just want to bring new producers onboard, make them connect themselves and give them a platform where they have opportunities that they don’t have on other big labels. To be honest, I just want to release great music and to help people.

You’ve had significant success with chart-topping releases on your label. How do you balance creative expression with commercial success in your music?

I guess it’s a simple one. Whenever I’m connected to my essence as an artist and make music I really love and believe in, it works really well “commercially”. Sometimes it’s a gamble but generally it pays off. I was quite impressed with the success of some of my releases on VOLTA, but also because I wasn’t expecting much. So probably also being detached to any outcome makes you more relaxed when creating.

This year has seen major changes in Ibiza with the influx of wealthy tourists. What are your thoughts on this trend, and do you think there will be a tipping point that could affect the scene?

Well, it’s a global phenomenon not just in Ibiza. The scene is already affected by all of this, good and bad. My only wish is that we don’t lose our essence and the core of why Electronic Music exists and always has existed: a place to be free and safe.

How do you prepare for a set to ensure you deliver an engaging experience for the audience?

I always make sure to have a lot of great music and I let the crowd “instruct me” on what they want and then I try to take them on a journey. Every show is different. Every club is different. Every festival is different. So, it’s important to look them in the eyes and understand what the vibe of the night (or day) is. 

Many people look up to you as a successful artist. What is the best piece of advice you received early in your career that you would pass on to new artists today?

Success is relative. Don’t romanticise it. Goals that you have today, once you achieve them, may bring you joy for a day and you get used to it, then you’re gonna aim for the next one. It’s human nature. Savour and enjoy every step of your journey. Sounds super cliche but it’s true. It’s not the peak of the mountain, but the climb that matters. And the person you become to get there.

In terms of your musical evolution, where do you see yourself heading in the next few years? Are there specific styles or projects you’re excited to explore?

Probably very far from the Techno I’ve been doing these past couple years. I’ve just finished an album of a new alias I’m creating that is so different. Can’t say much but it’s VERY exciting!

Victor Ruiz Unveils Artistic Project ‘This Is Not An Album’

Stream / Download here

by Damion Pell

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