Exclusive Interview: Ramsey Neville

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Under his latest project The Polygon, Ramsey Neville steps up to the legendary SCI+TEC label with a collection of four tracks named after different locations or memories that have given him inspiration over the years. Neville is based in Brooklyn, New York, where he has established himself as one of the city’s most notable techno talents. His well formed sound has come on labels like Unity Records, Addeepted, SLC-6, Black Line + more, and last year he remixed for Josh Wink on Ovum Recordings while also landing on Techno Brooklyn Records. He runs the IMPULSE CØNTROL playlist on Spotify with 11k+ subscribers and is working on turning it into a label and party in 2023.

Hello Ramsey! Thanks for taking time out of your schedule to talk to us. How are you?

Hey WOTN, thanks for having me! Doing pretty well over here, excited to chat today.

Please can you introduce yourselves to our readers?

I’m Ramsey Neville, a techno producer and DJ based in Brooklyn, New York. I’m originally from Seattle, Washington but have called New York my home for the past 7 years. 

How would you best describe your sound for those that may not be familiar?

To anyone that’s not familiar, I’d describe my sound as gritty hypnotic techno that’s very percussion-forward, but mixed with a little bit of acid and has the occasional melody.

Who or what were your biggest musical inspirations growing up?

I had a pretty wide range of inspiration as a kid because my parents listened to music from all different ends of the musical spectrum. In the house growing up it was everything from Elvis Presley, to Earth, Wind & Fire, to Johnny Cash. But the two artists that truly inspired me the most throughout my childhood are Chuck Berry and Donna Summer. 

You’ve got an amazing EP coming up on Dubfire’s SCI+TEC imprint. Tell us more!

I appreciate the kind words! When I sat down to write these tracks, my goal was channelling the same energy I love to feel when I’m on the dance floor. I named these four tracks after different locations or memories that have given me inspiration over the years. Everything from a neighborhood bar in Brooklyn, to the location of one of my favorite parties in Berlin, to a grim piece of history in remote Kazakhstan. The range of thoughts and emotions that these places represent is reflected throughout this EP.

How did you connect with Dubfire for this EP? Is this your first release on the label?

I originally connected with Dubfire after I saw that he’d supported one of my previous tracks, ‘Motherboard’, during his HöR set in Berlin, so I got in touch and sent him my latest demos. This is my first release on SCI+TEC and I couldn’t be more excited that my music has found a home on his legendary label! 

Can you tell us about some other projects you’ve been working on or involved with?

I recently finished writing a bunch of new music which I’m pretty excited about, so I’m currently in the process of finding a home for those tracks. On top of the original music, I’m working on a couple remixes that are set for the second half of 2023 so I’m just hyped for everyone to hear these new projects! 

You’re clearly very accomplished both in the studio and behind the decks. Do you prefer one or the other? If so, why? 

If you’d asked me 5 years ago I would have said I preferred being behind the decks 100% of the time, but nowadays I really enjoy spending my time in the studio making music. Of course DJing will always hold a special place in my heart, but the feeling you get in the studio, experimenting with sounds and creating original music is truly unmatched. Having the opportunity to channel your passion and emotion through writing songs that you can share with the world is incredibly special. 

What are 5 records that haven’t left your box recently?

  1. Hours and Hours – Holden Federico
  2. Nokstella – Bailey Ibbs
  3. Analog – Binny
  4. Charger – Dustin Zahn, Marcal
  5. Immunity – SLV, Barbara Ford

What are you most looking forward to this year? Any cool projects you can tell us about?

For the rest of 2023 I’m focused on continuing to make better and better music, have a few more releases, and play more shows. Also over the next few months I’m excited to be launching a Brooklyn-based artist collective/party-brand/mix series called IMPULSE CØNTROL. After that I’m in the process of confirming more shows this spring and summer in Brooklyn and elsewhere, so stay tuned! 

Do you have any upcoming shows in NYC that you can tell us about?

My next show is Nebula in New York City, where I’m supporting the legendary Sven Väth. After that I’m in the process of confirming more shows this spring and summer in New York and beyond.

Anything you’d like to say before we wrap up?

Head on over to Spotify or wherever you get your music and check out ‘The Polygon’, hope ya’ll enjoy it! 

Thanks Ramsey, we wish you all the best!

Cheers, thanks for having me! 

Ramsey Neville – The Polygon EP is out now via SCI+TEC

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