After quality outings on the likes of Sincopat & UNT Records, Mike Ravelli graced Mexico’s Tenampa imprint with a standout three tracker last week, an EP, which also included the talents of Prog titan Robert Babicz in a remix capacity. Sitting down with WWD, Ravelli discussed cross border-collaborations in the creative process and his love for the burgeoning record label as well as detailing just exactly what it’s like to have a legend of the game like Babicz on board!

WWD : Thanks for joining us Mike! Where are you right now and what’s the schedule been like this week?

Thank you! I’m really happy to join you guys. I’m in my studio right now in Haarlem, a city right next to Amsterdam. This week is about making sure our Perception stage for this weekends festival is perfect, a project I run together with a good friend of mine. Lots of searching for new records and of course working on new tracks in the studio.

WWD : You’ve had an action packed start to 2015 what have the highlights been for you so far?

I just got back from a month of touring in China. That was really crazy, I had so much fun. It was really great to meet so much enthusiastic music lovers and the shows were also really great to do. Lots of energy from the crowds and great venues. Will definitely go back there soon.

WWD : We love the Mike Ravelli Meets concept. Can you tell us a bit about the idea? Is it something you’re set to continue over the coming months?

The idea is really simple. Two DJ’s, all night long. Starting off in turns by playing 1 hour sets and playing a b2b set at the end of the night. The great thing about this is that both Dj’s can perform as a team and build an atmosphere together with the crowd, but also surprise each other. The DJ’s who I “meet” are really special artists and I have a lot of respect for what they do. Some of them have been good friends for many many years so it’s also very nice to catch up with them on a night like this. Most important I guess is that every body gets the best experience possible, especially the crowd.

WWD : Getting down to business! Your new EP Vendor is forthcoming on Tenampa Recordings. Where did you put the record together? What was the process like?

Both tracks are made in my studio in Haarlem. For the Vendor track I asked my friend, Misja, to come over and jam a bit. He’s a very good and experienced guitar player so I was really happy he could find the time to come over. Misja is also a very good comedian so I remember falling over from my chair multiple times that day. Every time I hear this track I think of these good times putting this track together 🙂

WWD : One thing you’re learned from putting this release together?

That it can be really great to work together with other artists with different musical backgrounds. I guess this pushes one to think beyond borders and create something you’d never be able to do by your self. Before this I was more of a solo guy, but this record really changed my mind about this.

WWD : What’s it like to have a legend like Robert Babicz on the remix?

This feels a bit unrealistic to be honest. Since I started collecting records about 15 years ago, Robert Babicz has always been one of the great ones and I’ve bought many many of his records. The fact that he now made a remix of my track strikes me. Super happy!

WWD : What was it about Tenampa that attracted you to the label?

First of all, and most important, the music they share with the world is really amazing. They always have very interesting releases and I think they have a promising future. Of course It’s really great being part of of Tenampa and I really hope we can make more music together.

WWD : Before we let you go, what are the big dates on the horizon for you?

The festival season in NL is starting this weekend and it will be a very busy one. There are many many great festivals with each their own feeling, I’m just really looking forward playing at all of them with the crowds in the sunshine. There are also more international gigs but none are confirmed yet so I guess I’ll tell you guys more about this next time! 🙂