Victor Ruiz has established himself as a dynamic selector with the ability to craft compelling sets. Born in Brazil and currently based in Europe, 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 across the planet. Victor has played all around the world and released on such esteemed labels including Drumcode, Noir Music, Suara, Senso Sounds, and many more.
This month Victor announced the launch of his new label, Volta, and a stacked label release party at the world-renowned ADE festival. Victor was kind enough to talk to 6AM about the launch of Volta and what he hopes to achieve with his new endeavor.
Hi Victor! Thank you so much for talking to 6AM today. How are you?
Hey hey! I’m doing good, just trying to beat jet lag at home. Didn’t sleep tonight, so decided to get busy and talk to you! :)
Looks like you’ve played in a couple of U.S. cities the past few days, any highlights so far?
Yeah, man! The U.S. was great. I played at Schimanski in Brooklyn, NY, and it was insane. Super great vibes and a packed club from start till end. Also made my debut in Las Vegas and it was a lot of fun. I love to play in the U.S., and it’s great to see the scene there blossoming so much.
You’ve just recently launched your new label “Volta” — there are a lot of reasons why an artist starts their own label, what are some of your important reasons?
As you said, there are many reasons for an artist to start their own label. Artistic expression and creative freedom are big pillars of it. Since my sound was always somewhat different, I struggled a bit to place it into labels. Eventually, I managed to enter and release on big labels, but I wanted something else. I wanted to help new producers to have visibility and a distinguished sound to find a home for their music.
“I wanted to help new producers to have visibility and a distinguished sound to find a home for their music. Artists that have struggled the same way I did (and sometimes still do) to fit their art somewhere, that’s where the idea of VOLTA started to exist.”
Artists that have struggled the same way I did (and sometimes still do) to fit their art somewhere, that’s where the idea of VOLTA started to exist. During the pandemic, I started to give one-on-one classes to new producers and I found out that there were so many amazing artists that just needed an opportunity, and I knew I had to do something — with this idea, I wanted to go further.
The idea to help had to become more measurable — so that’s why 10% of all profits of VOLTA releases will go to different causes in the world, chosen by the artists that are releasing there. It’s a way to help a lot of people and to bring awareness to those that are not used to help just because they don’t know where or how to start.
How did you land on the name “Volta”?
A couple of reasons — me and my team were trying to come up with a name starting in with V, because of Victor — branding, you know… LOL. I’m a big rock fan, and there’s a band named The Mars Volta that I really am into, and always loved the name. I thought about Volta and added it to the list we were making.
At a brainstorming session, I realized that Volta means “turn” in Portuguese, or “return”. That was it! A happy accident because a band turned out to be a name that brings a whole philosophy and ideology to the label. It’s not just a label. It’s beyond!
“I realized that Volta means “turn” in Portuguese, or “return”. That was it! A happy accident because a band turned out to be a name that brings a whole philosophy and ideology to the label.”
Throughout your career you’ve done a vast range of music from being a pioneer in the Brazilian Bass scene with Alex Stein to the current peak time techno you make. Is “Volta” going to have a wide range of styles? What can your fans expect of the sound that is going to be released with your new label?
VOLTA definitely will bring a few different things to the scene. I don’t know how much time it’ll take, but the idea is exactly that: to bring great music that is a bit (or a lot) outside of the ordinary. I’ve already signed many EPs from newcomers, some with remixes of bigger artists — that interaction is what I want to focus on a bit. The VOLTA sound is something I’m really looking forward to sharing with the world. It’ll be something else!
I don’t know how much time it’ll take, but the idea is exactly that: to bring great music that is a bit (or a lot) outside of the ordinary.
The VOLTA sound is something I’m really looking forward to sharing with the world. It’ll be something else!
Listen to Victor Ruiz “Pura Vida” – Volta Records
Why did you choose to have your “Volta” launch party at ADE? Is this a festival that you attend frequently?
At first, it wasn’t supposed to be something like an official party — I wanted to gather a few friends and colleagues and just have a drink, a chat, and introduce the idea of the label. The idea became something bigger than I thought, and before I knew it, we had a 7-hour party with a great lineup, including Sama’ Abdulhadi, Alex Stein, and myself as headliners, plus very talented newcomers. I guess we’ll still have a drink and a chat, but now we’ll also have a dance!
“I wanted to gather a few friends and colleagues and just have a drink, a chat, and introduce the idea of the label. The idea became something bigger than I thought, and before I knew it, we had a 7-hour party with a great lineup.”
The party will happen on Wednesday, 19th October, from 5pm till midnight at The Butcher at A’dam Tower. All tickets sold will go directly to charity. So, if you’re in town, come by!
You’ve been known to promote messages focusing on mental health and well-being, is “Volta” also going to embrace this message with the themes and music that is released?
100%! One of the ideas is to help, bring awareness, and address and tackle mental health — be it for people in this industry, or just the young generation that has been suffering a lot of mental health issues — myself included. During the pandemic, I was depressed and very anxious, and that really showed me how important it is to reach out for help and to speak up.
I was depressed and very anxious during the pandemic, and that really showed me how important it is to reach out for help and to speak up.
The idea is to help, bring awareness, and address and tackle mental health — be it for people in this industry, or just the young generation that has been suffering a lot of mental health issues.”
Thank you so much for talking to us again! Is there anything else you’d like to share?
You’re not alone. You are loved. If you’re reading this, know that we’re here for you. I know sometimes life gets tough on us and it can be scary out there. But trust me: this too shall pass!
Remember to take care of yourself and to spread love.
Connect with Victor Ruiz: Website丨SoundCloud丨Facebook丨Twitter丨Beatport丨Instagram
