Lewis Ryder & Bigger Deer NYE Exclusive
Lewis speaks about cheesy trance memories and Bigger Deer NYE….
Some of you would have heard of Lewis Ryder from when he was running ‘Hindsight’ at London’s Inigo Bar or when he was hosting it with James Talk at The Cross and with Anil Chawla, Miniminds and Neil Quigley at The Egg back in 2007. Many will know him from his appearances at Jaded, AKA/The End and Club Class in Maidstone. But most of you should be familiar with Lewis Ryder from his Bigger Deer night at London’s Fabric or even his residency at the renowned Space on the magical island of Ibiza. None the less, I’m adamant you’ve been a shuffling foot to his techy beats.
Lewis, being what you might call a multi-skilled DJ/Producer has been hard at work getting himself established with a string of remixes for Filth & Splendour plus numerous releases on various labels. but Lewis has already moved to the next level, setting up and developing his own label: Bigger Deer, and with significant results.
With many releases by himself featuring remixes from the likes of Terry Francis, Filth & Splendour and Mitch Davis, plus releases by Tom Budden and Tom Reynolds. I think it’s clear to say that his hard work is paying off with DJ more than prepared to put their names to Bigger Deer. Not to mention great support from James Zabiela, Dylan Rhymes, Funk D’Void, John Digweed, Desyn Masielo, Alex Tepper, Eddie Richards, Nathan Coles, Nic Fanciulli, Hernan Cattaneo and Lauren Garnier.
But 2010 has been of some great achievements for Lewis and his label with an array of successful releases; ‘Pullahomer’ mixing industrial downtrodden beats with contrasting light overtones and its upbeat vibe perfect for getting any serious dance floor moving. ‘Crack Pope’ taking the name on face value brings an immediate smile. the jerky electronic stabs creep up on the fast beat laid down by the opening launch. Success has also come in the way of Terry Francis joining the Bigger Deer ranch as well as Lewis making his debut bow at Fabric.
2010 will surely be a difficult year to beat but Lewis is making sure that 2011 is going to smash previous years and to guarantee this he’s kicking off the New Year with the much-anticipated Bigger Deer NYE party at The Gramaphone, Shoreditch, where he will be setting the standard for what 2011 will hold. And you better be taking him seriously because his NYE at The Gramaphone will be swiftly followed by another outstanding Bigger Deer night at Fabric on 8th January, where he will be joined by one-third of Wiggle and Fabric resident Terry Francis, plus Saved Records’ Alex Tepper. Lewis is laying down the gauntlet.
Interview
What would you say was the key moment that got you on the road to DJing / Producing?
“Well I started playing about with basic music sequencing software around the age of 11 or 12 years old. Throughout my teenage years the idea of getting a pair of record decks became real appealing after discovering pirate radio and underground music. So I guess that picking up on computers from an early age played a big part in the process.
Key influences for you on your road to DJing / Producing?
A really cheesy Trance Nation CD that for some random reason my Dad was playing in his car. I remember a remix of the Braveheart theme tune on there… looking back it is awful! But this was probably the first dance music I’d ever listened to.
DJ EZ Pure Garage mixes were among the early favourites, then musically developing more towards Fatboy Slim and more housey stuff.
But a friend at a record shop pushed me towards the more twisted and techy side of things when I was just about to leave school. Up till then I was buying lots of Funky/Bar Groove House.
If I had to choose a festival that has had a big influence along the way, I’d say Bestival when I was 19 and hanging out with the likes of Ed from the Chemical Brother, Ashley Beedle and Justin Robertson. this really gave me a taste of the industry to say the least!
When you’re not DJing or Producing, what kind of music do you listen to in your spare time?
I listen to a lot of stuff I was bought up with, Sting, Tears For Fears, David Bowie, etc. Along with lots of current bands like Radiohead, Blur, Kings of Leon, Zero 7. one of my current favourites is Adele – ‘Rolling In The Deep’. Very soulful track!
Oh and The XX, they’ve done very well in the past year. I used to run a party at Inigo in Clapham Junction when I was at university (‘it Must Be A Monday’), we gave them one of their first gigs and I was their ‘beats man’ (playing/pausing a CD of beats for them). That was back in 2005…. 5 years on and they’ve won the Mercury Music Prize!
What has been the most enjoyable place / club / night you have played so far?
It would have to be a toss between my twice weekly residency in 2009 at Space Ibiza, especially the opening and… Fabric back in September for my label, Bigger Deer Recordings, debut party in room 3
The Space opening gig was immense; I was playing the main room inside before Chris Leibing and had to extend my set from 1. hours to 3.5 hours, as there were problems with Chris’ flight. After my set, Guy Gerber took over with a live show. The place was going off!
Imagine you live in a parallel universe where X-Factor is actually considered cool and not just popular entertainment. you just happen to be in the final (the fact that you are in the final implies that you have an amazing voice). What would you sing?
Jamie Woon – ‘Night Air’. Maybe my top pick of 2010.
Highlights for you in 2010?
Doing a little 3 week tour of Australia back in March / April, playing alongside Darren Emerson, Fergie and hanging with the Aussie crew.
Having terry Francis join the Deer ranch and getting an EP of my own out on Wiggle.
Debuting at Fabric. This was the first techno club I ever went to, so this was a very special moment!
What do you have planned for yourself and Bigger Deer Recordings in 2011?
Continuing with releases from some newly found artists and myself. With remixes from the likes of Jamie Stevens, Nathan Coles, Raffertie, Alecs Marta, Javier Orduna…
The next release is ‘Aussdisco’ by myself with a remix from London lad Saytek (who will be playing at the Bigger Deer NYE Party at The Gramaphone, London).
We’ve also got another label party at Fabric on Saturday 8th January, which will feature Terry Francis & Alex Tepper.
So quite a lot already planned to kick start the New Year.
Is there anything in particular you would really like to try musically?
Well I’m starting to work on a live set, incorporating hardware, synths and a computer. This is really the next thing for me…
And non musically?
Well at the moment most of my time is spent thinking about music, indulged fully in it. i run the label on my own and also do all the artwork for events, etc, myself. I think it’s a good way to work if possible, having full creative power, for me, it’s essential.
Favourite drink?
Ribena
Favourite dish / food?
Can’t go wrong with good old sausage & mash.
Sonic or Mario?
Mario
Robocop or Terminator?
Terminator.
Homer Simpson or Peter Griffin?
That’s a toughy. Used to be Homer, but now I’d say Peter…with Stan Smith popping his head in from American Dad 🙂
If you didn’t know who Lewis Ryder was or what he was about then by now you should have a pretty good idea. And if you’re still in doubt, makes ure you gett yourself down to The Gramaphone for the Bigger Deer NYE party for a feel of what he’s really about. And if you already know what Lewis Ryder is all about then you would have already bought your tickets for NYE.
We’d just like to say a big thank you to Lewis for his exclusive ‘G-Sounds’ mix, which we are loving and especially for taking the time to answer our questions.
Author: Webbie
Guerilla Sounds 
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