Brazil’s D-Edge Club has long been a mecca for the world’s leading DJs and travelling partygoers, central to its success has been founder Renato Ratier. We caught up with the Club owner, DJ and producer to discuss his new moniker and brand new LP ’Ritual’.
WWD: Hey Renato! Thanks for sitting down with When We Dip. You’ve recently launched your new moniker, ‘Ratier’; what made you decide to do so?
The name change came mainly because people already call me “just” Ratier, my manager and some people suggested I could change my logo too so I talked to my team and we decided that.
WWD: Tell us a bit about your upcoming album ‘Ritual’ on D-Edge Records – what inspired it and what was the creative process behind it?
The inspiration came from trips to Amazon and Africa. This house, Afro, ethnic sound is something I’ve really like for long time like. I just got baptized, and I’m Christian, so ‘Abençoado’ (blessed) came from this.
WWD: You’re known as the driving force behind D-Edge and its’ label D-Edge Records. What can you tell us about this legendary Brazilian club and its’ imprint?
The club is coming to its 24th anniversary this April, it’s one of the more consolidated brand’s worldwide. We were the first club to use LEDs and the VU on the walls following the sound. A lot of care went into the design of the sound system.
For more than 10 years we opened every night, we must be the American club with with more openings, I’m not aware of another club with this longevity and amount of artists who performed, more than 2 thousand people have brought their music to our public’s ears. This is what gives D-Edge it’s relevance.
About the releases, we have many references, D-edge Records Black is more focused on techno, D-Edge is now more House and it’s varies, Olga, minimal, dub-techno, more conceptual. We flirt from house to techno and have a core axis like the club. All labels together, we already have reached about 88 releases.
WWD: We’re absolutely loving the sound of your new LP. What was the collaborative process like with L_cio for the track, ‘Mantra’?
Mantra was really fast to finish, Laercio has been a resident for a long time, someone I like and admire a lot. The synergy we have made it quick to do it, just a few get togethers and it was done. I sent the music and he was able to add details of great taste and sensitivity, like his flute phrases for example.
WWD: You’ve certainly had an impressive career. As a key player in the Latin American scene, are there any artists, DJ’s or club promoters who have been a particular inspiration to you?
One of my inspirations came from my friend Mr.C, I had the pleasure to play a few times at his club, The End, that had an impact back in the days. Another is Derrick Carter and Laurent Garnier. In Latin America, the late Angelo Leuzzi, his creativity and entrepreneurship, he’s someone I’ve always admired.
WWD: What would you say has been the key to your success?
The key to success is persistence, love, belief, work and to have a great team around you.
WWD: As the creator of the beautifully designed Surreal Park in Camboriú, what has the venue been able to achieve artistically since is opening?
Surreal is about to celebrate its 2nd anniversary on December 27th with Joseph Capriati, Seth Troxler, Guy J, Tini Gessler, Cristina Tosio and me . It’s a wonderful, spectacular space with 100k sq meters with 6 stages/floors. “Ritual” more organic, “RawRoom”, that is something I had for some time, a little itinerant house “raw Arizona” style.
“Bells” looks like a huge black harbour, inspired by “Peaky Blinders”, a series I like. “Nomad” is kinda gypsy tent, as the name suggests. “The Church” is really charming, we open from time to time with local labels and give opportunities to new talents. And a new one we’ll talk later.
WWD: What sets apart Brazilian dance music from the rest of the world?
I think we have a similar language all around the world. I’d say Brazil is still growing and developing, maturing. I have 28 years of work in this field as DJ and event producer, D-Edge has 24. I saw the beginning in the 90s. We have 2 or 3 generations building the scene. Brazil is happy, festive, friendly with an exuberant nature, cultural diversity, climate, so we have many sources to look.
WWD: Finally, do you have any upcoming projects in 2024 that you can share with us?
We have this new space in Surreal, ‘JetSet’, that is an real airplane. In Rio, the complex will feature an art gallery, restaurant. And I’ll assemble the studio I had at Bossa in a house with music school, workshops, a little bistro, nothing big, a little bar too.