If you’ve seen Rik Watts perform at gigs across the globe (or more recently at the Atmasphere stage at SulaFest 2016) for sure you have been taken away with his warm deep solid sounds.
Via his DJ sets or his productions on labels like Lowendcommunity, Phat Elephant and Jelly Beast recording, he merges perspectives in his sense for sounds and underpinned with deep solid, soulful grooves inspired by the fact he was traveling all over the world working for the Dutch Navy at the early age of 17.
We spoke to Rik backstage at SulaFest 2016 to try and get a sense of how he got into DJing and his influences, plus he also mentioned his favourite thing about this year’s edition of SulaFest. Read our chat below.
Akshay – When did you start DJing?
Rik – About 10-12 years ago, not the style which I play now. I started off with more hardcore.
Akshay – When you started off, whom were your early influences?
Rik – I started off with Hardcore and then within 1-2 years, I switched over to Techno because I got very interested by that style of music. My influences at that point were most of the Dutch based DJs who played Techno!
Akshay – What are the challenges that you face currently while DJing?
Rik – The only challenge that I had was producing which takes a lot of time. So I quit my normal job, to put all my energies into producing and DJing.
Akshay – What is it about DJing that compared to something like producing your own music, makes it interesting for you?
Rik – The crowd! Always.
Akshay – When it comes to #SulaFest 2016, what is the best thing about it, in your opinion?
Rik – Firstly, the weather! Secondly, this is my first time in India so I am really interested to see what people think of my sound! Love the atmosphere at the Atmasphere stage so looking forward to my set.
Akshay – Is there any new music that fans can look forward to from your set?
Rik – No new music, but I have been digging a lot of music lately, which I plan to play in my set.
Akshay – If you have to give someone one reason to attend #SulaFest, what would it be?
Rik – The atmosphere is very relaxing! The people look very relaxed and that’s definitely a plus point.
Akshay – Last question, do you drink wine?
Rik – Yes, I love drinking wine!
Akshay – Have you had a chance to try out any of the Sula wines yet?
Rik – Yes! I loved both, the red and the white.
Akshay – Thanks Rik! :)
