Not many artists have had a breadth experience like Doc Martin, who’s a had huge hand in shaping dance music to what we all know it as today. Last March, we featured Rybo in our WWD Mix Series and since then he has played massive shows with the DH crew and has dropped some huge bombs on the label. So leading up to their performances at Costa Rica’s Ocaso Festival — they will be playing along side artists like Rodriguez Jr., Jay Lumen, Gene Ferris, and Kevin Knapp — we decided to ask the two absolute legends to take a bit of time to interview each other.
Doc Martin: You’ve been hopping around a lot with DH guys on the recent tour, what has been your favorite stop so far?
RYBO: Yeah, definitely been having a lot of fun with the boys! I gotta say my favorite stop with DH this year has to be City Hearts NYC. It was my first time in the city and the party was absolutely mental. It was at the knock down center, a massive warehouse where they used to make doors at. I was hanging out in this basement before my set where they used to melt down glass and grabbed a cool looking chunk of glass and ended up slicing my hand open before hoping on the decks haha
Doc Martin: How do you get inspired to write your tunes?
RYBO: I really get inspired by my homies, I love collabing with like-minded producers. Theres nothing like bouncing off ideas and getting instant feedback!
Doc Martin: When’s your next release?
RYBO: Right now I have a track with Fritz Carlton called “Disconnect” coming out on the Desert Hearts Friends & Family vol. 2 compilation Jan 12th. Then shortly after an EP with Anabel Englund along with a killer remix by Mark Jenkyns.
Doc Martin: How are you gearing up for Costa Rica?
RYBO: Waxing up my surfboard, brah!!
Doc Martin: Favorite synth?
RYBO: My favorite synth is probably my 303, nothing like some good old ACID!
Doc Martin: Current favorite track?
RYBO: Currently I’m obsessed with Hauswerks – The Reed Dance (Davina Moss Remix). Its got the perfect balance of tribal-y vocals, groovy drums and a pumping bass line that makes your booty shake!
Doc Martin: What are you most excited about in 2018?
RYBO: Stoked to already have some big gigs lined up for 2018 like Electric Forest, I’ve heard nothing but great things! Also going to release more tracks on new labels and see where 2018 will take me!
RYBO: You’ve played literally everywhere, what have been some of your all time favorite places to spin at?
Doc: In the last year alone, playing and doing Sublevel Live w/ Lillia @ Circoloco DC10, Desert Hearts, Ocaso, Cityfox NYC, Old Miami (Detroit), Oregon Eclipse, Lost Beach (Ecuador), Sound(LA), Get Lost, Paradise, Subtract to name a few!!!
RYBO: I loved your DH release ‘Monday at Old Miami’. How’d you guys come up with that track?
Doc: Lillia, and I were at Seth Troxlers/Visionquest party on Mon. in Detroit 2 years ago.We were having a great time with a ton of our friends from all over the globe. Lillia started getting lyrics together as an inspiration to the party. Desert Hearts heard it, when we performed it at City Hearts in LA. The rest is history.
RYBO: What is it that keeps you motivated to still make music?
Doc: Really simple, I still love the people, music, and vibe,
RYBO: What is your favorite gear to use?
Doc: In the studio, my Prophet -5 and my ASR 10. DJ wise – 3 CDJ’s, turntables RMX Efx.
RYBO: Current favorite track?
Doc: Harry Romero feat. Robert Owens – I Go Back RMX-Unreleased
RYBO: How different is the festival scene now from when you were coming up in the 90s in SF & LA?
Doc: It’s definitely a lot bigger now! In the 90’s it was about the music, people, and vibe! Saying that Festivals like Ocaso, Desert Hearts, Oregon Eclipse and a slew of others bring the focus back to those things again. I’ve met tons of really nice people as of late. I really believe the right people will always find each other. There are so many talented people coming up as well. Exciting Times!!!
RYBO: What are you most looking forward to about playing Ocaso?
Doc: If it was anything like last year, all of it. Everyone rose to the occasion. The Vibe was so thick last year!!! Seeing all these talented people do their thing! Of course playing after Claptone , and doing Sublevel Live w/ Lillia