Richy Ahmed is a name that crops up daily in the house music scene. Mention Hot Creations? Richy’s name springs to mind. Mention the revered Paradise parties at DC-10? Yep, once again the talented Geordie’s name comes up. So what’s up next for for the Four Thirty Two label owner? We caught up ahead of his We Are festival appearance to talk all things clubbing related, and what he’s got in store for the White Isle this summer.

I’m really excited to be hosting my own showcases, it’s a step I have wanted to make over the last couple of years and now it’s time.

WWD: Hey Richy thanks for sitting down for a chat! It’s safe to say the next two weeks are looking super busy! You’ve got the ANTS warm up at Ushuaia on Saturday then straight on to We Are festival. You’re no stranger to either imprint, so how does the vibe at these parties compare to other parties you’ve played at? 

RA: Yeah, it’s quite a busy and exciting time for me at the moment as we head into Ibiza and festival season. Both parties have a wicked vibe, the crowds that attend are always up for it and really knowledgeable. With ANTS, they pour their heart and soul into everything including their stage production, so it’s always amazing to be invited to play there. So many of my friends play at these events too, it’s like a family.

WWD: Sounds great we’re looking forward to it. And with festival season just around the corner you’ve got a load of appearances coming up, including Parklife and Lovebox. With that in mind would you say you prefer playing sets at festivals with big production levels? Or are you more of a fan of an intimate nightclub setting?

RA: I love festival season, it’s the only time of the year where you get to play these big, rolling sets with impressive stage production and to thousands of people. Festivals always bring the best crowds, people lose themselves a little more and playing in open air situations is totally different to club nights. But at intimate nightclub settings you get to experiment more with your sets, playing weirder and darker tracks and test out new productions, so I don’t think I could choose one or the other.

WWD: Nice can imagine it must be a tough one to call! In terms of label running it was around 6 months ago now that you launched your new label Four Thirty Two, and there’s been some killer tracks released already. ‘Put me in a trance’ is one of our particular favourites, with a rolling baseline that still retains a nice dark feel. What was it that led you to form your own label? And is there a sound/style you want the releases to go for? 

RA: Thanks, yeah, I wanted to do something that was my own thing, with no limitations. The label is my own, I have creative control and release when tracks are right for me, I never wanted to start something that had to be big, just right! The label is a lot more serious and the concept is to keep it fairly small with a few releases a year. There isn’t a style for the label; it’s all down to whether I like the track. It will also be a platform for me to put out a lot more of my stuff that I really believe in and want to get out there.

WWD: Exciting stuff. And as you mentioned Ibiza season is just around the corner, and we’ve heard you’re going to be hosting your very first Four Thirty Two label showcase on the White Isle. Can you give us some info on who’ll be performing/where it’ll be?

RA: Yeah this is a huge step for me and the parties, they have been small and intimate up until now and we plan on keeping it that way on the island, so it feels right! For the first party at Vista Club on June 1st, we’ve got Mathew Jonson playing a live set, which is going to be absolutely wicked – his performances always blow me away. Alongside him are my two good mates Rossko and Ryan O’Gorman who are no strangers to Ibiza. I’m really excited to be hosting my own showcases, it’s a step I have wanted to make over the last couple of years and now it’s time.

WWD: Sounds great count us in! You teamed up with rising talents Jansons a few months back to make ‘The Voyage’. We’re a big fan of the tune, it’s a real nice feel-good vocal belter. In terms of the future are there any other collaborations on the cards, either with them or any other artists?

RA: Yeah of course – Jansons are super talented and have a wicked sound, and I really enjoyed collaborating with them on The Voyage. It’s great to work with hungry producers and I hope to collaborate with them again for sure. The label has given me the chance to look at working with other producers and making music I love. There are a bunch of producers at the heart of the label so expect to see more collaborations and remixes from myself.

WWD: Nice one we’ll be sure to keep an ear out! Now you’ve put out tracks on some of the scenes biggest labels over the years, and played sets at major clubs and festivals all over the world. But – here comes a big’un –  if you had to choose between producing or DJing for the rest of your life which one would you go for?

RA: That is a tough question but I would have to say DJing. As much as I love getting in the studio and the freedom it gives you, I will always be a DJ at heart. Having the chance to tour the world, playing to people that are into your sound and what you’re doing is magic. I’m addicted to DJing, there’s nothing else like it.

WWD: We’re glad! Final question we’ve got for you today Richy: If you were us what question would you ask yourself? And what would your answer be?

RA: That’s a real hard one, how long do you have? [laughs] I don’t know man

WWD: Nice one Richy thanks for sitting down for a chinwag!

RA: No problem man!

Catch Richy at We Are festival on the 27th of May, tickets here.