Human Rias is a German DJ/producer who has released on the likes of Automatik, Eklektisch, and now the brand new label arm of the notorious EXIT Festival. As well as releasing with them, he is also now the head of talent relations with the brand also. With all this in mind, we sat down with him recently to discuss how the rest of his 2023 has gone so far…

WWD: Hey Human, how are you? How has the year been?

Hey, I’m doing great just on the way to my tenth ADE in a row. It’s been an incredible year, an incredible summer especially!

WWD: You are one of the only artists to open and close EXIT Festival – what are your memories of that?

It’s a piece of EXIT’s and my history. Something I will never forget. Taking the stage and opening dance arena Thursday and then being asked to continue past the closing act on Sunday, was just incredible. At this point I also want to send my utmost appreciation to Dusan, the owner!

WWD: How did you first hook up with EXIT?

I met Sagor, who was taking care of No sleep stage in 2018 at ade actually. In the backstage of Awakenings’ and we got chatting. I had heard many things about EXIT and at the time was the creative director of mma in MUNICH, so we very quickly brought no sleep to MUNICH and hosted a stage at EXIT in 2019.

WWD: What does the brand mean to you?

It’s not a brand, it’s a state of being. It’s for me my home, and a name that creates history and shapes the future. Every EXIT is a new beginning.

WWD: What will your role be with the new EXIT label?

I’m the head of talent relations within the EXIT echo system.

WWD: What’s the sound and vibe you’re looking for?

I’m looking for genuine music that makes you feel something, that moves you. It’s hard to describe something but I’m sure you know what I mean.

WWD: Tell us about your new one with ANDATA on the label – how did you hook up with them and why?

Andata and I met a year ago, collaborating on fashion, they also run the brand Customized Culture. Not long after our first fashion collab we found ourselves in the studio and this magical driving track was created.

WWD: What inspired the sounds, where was the music written for, what type of party and what vibe?

The music came out of us, we did not plan any direction but played around and very quickly the vocals took shape and the melody.

WWD: What else have you got coming up?

Yes, I have a collab with my dear friend gussi coming up on Atlant on 17.11.

WWD: What was the last record you bought and why?
I get sent a lot of records nowadays but the last one must have been Arodes Lunar ep on Rufus du Sol’s Rose Avenue Records. What a record!!

You can grab Human Rias & ANDATA feat. EZLN “I Can Feel You”, on EXIT Soundscape here.